The landscape of Big Ten quarterback transfers is generating significant buzz as the 2025 college football season approaches, with Fernando Mendoza of Indiana University topping the rankings and Nico Iamaleava of UCLA close behind.
Mendoza's move to Indiana has been lauded as potentially one of the most impactful under-the-radar pickups in the transfer class. The former Cal signal-caller impressed with over 3,000 passing yards and a 68.7% completion rate last season, despite playing behind a struggling offensive line. Now, he's set to join forces with coach Curt Cignetti in a quarterback-friendly system that has previously produced Heisman-level buzz. Furthermore, Mendoza is expected to benefit from a stronger supporting cast at Indiana compared to his time at Berkeley.
Iamaleava's transfer to UCLA is also generating considerable excitement. After a somewhat uneven 2024 season with Tennessee, where he threw for 2,616 yards and 19 touchdowns, Iamaleava is seeking a fresh start on the West Coast. While his numbers at Tennessee were decent, they didn't quite reach the sky-high expectations that many had for him. He now aims to unlock his full potential and elevate the Bruins in his first year leading the program. Despite the Volunteers reaching the College Football Playoff, it was more due to the strength of the defense and run game, rather than Iamaleava's quarterback play.
ESPN college football analysts have also weighed in, ranking Iamaleava's transfer as the second-best in the Big Ten, behind Mendoza. Max Olson of ESPN noted the dramatic nature of Iamaleava's move from Tennessee, calling it a "stunner". Olson believes that UCLA might have landed a potential top-10 quarterback on a reduced contract, which will bring a lot of attention to the program as they enter DeShaun Foster's second year as coach. However, analyst Tom Luginbill pointed out that Iamaleava will be working with a less talented roster than he was accustomed to in Knoxville, requiring him to elevate his performance. Luginbill acknowledged Iamaleava's exceptional physical gifts but emphasized the need for greater consistency in his accuracy, particularly on deep throws.
Iamaleava himself has acknowledged the challenges ahead, stating that everyone in the UCLA locker room has a chip on their shoulder and is determined to prove themselves. He is also very open about his ambitions to reach the NFL, viewing this upcoming season as a crucial opportunity to showcase his abilities.
UCLA's head coach, DeShaun Foster, is building a new era for the Bruins, and the team has a lot of momentum going into the next season. With Iamaleava at quarterback, there is no telling what UCLA's ceiling is, and they are one of the most interesting teams entering the season.
Meanwhile, UCLA's new offensive coordinator, Tino Sunseri, brings a track record of success, with his 2024 Indiana offense averaging 426.4 yards and over 41 points per game, ranking first in the Big Ten and second nationally. Sunseri is implementing a more balanced offensive scheme this year, with the running backs, offensive line, and wide receivers starting to build a strong connection with Iamaleava.
While Iamaleava possesses immense talent, his 2024 statistics placed him eighth in total passing yards among potential Big Ten starting quarterbacks. However, it's important to consider that Tennessee had a run-heavy offense, ranking among the nation's top rushing teams. Despite not having the highest passing statistics, Iamaleava's QBR (Quarterback Rating) ranked fourth among Big Ten quarterbacks.
