Nico Iamaleava signals UCLA return in 2027: What it could mean for Bruins QB room as Ty Dieffenbach impresses

Rehabbing an ACL tear inside a Big Ten program lets the former five-star recruit avoid a rushed pre-draft process UCLA quarterback Nico Iamaleava has indicated to the Bruins that he plans to return to the program in 2027, his agent told CBS Sports' Matt Zenitz. Iamaleava suffered a season-ending ACL tear in the Bruins' win at Oregon on Oct. 10. Now the question becomes whether his starting job will still be there waiting for him or whether he might have to earn it back. Cal Poly transfer Ty Dieffenbach has stepped into the starting role for UCLA since Iamaleava's injury and performed well, leading the Bruins to wins over Wisconsin and Michigan State.

Dieffenbach also threw a critical fourth-quarter touchdown pass for the No. 7 Bruins in their win over the Ducks after Iamaleava's injury earlier this month. Though he's listed as a senior, Dieffenbach has one more year of eligibility remaining under the NCAA's new five-for-five eligibility model that he could use in 2027. Iamaleava is also listed as a senior on the Bruins' roster and will have one season remaining under the same eligibility rule. As the No. 2-ranked quarterback prospect from the Class of 2023, Iamaleava was expected by many to be in the NFL by now. He was draft-eligible last year after a pedestrian redshirt sophomore