Nico Iamaleava’s coaches didn’t have any gripes about his play last season … well, maybe one.
The UCLA quarterback tended to take too many hits while running, in part because of his resistance to sliding.
But times change and self-preservation may be higher on his to-do list in 2026. It helps that he’ll be surrounded by significantly more talent, including a reformulated offensive line, a deep stable of running backs and several promising wide receivers.
Presumably, there won’t be nearly as many times when he has no choice but to take off running.
“Last year, at times, when it was time for me to go, you know, I had to go,” Iamaleava said Friday evening after the Bruins concluded their second fall training camp session on another sweltering day. “Definitely being more protective over my body and taking less hits, it’s a main emphasis every year, but, this year, definitely want to emphasize on not taking too many hits.”
That doesn’t mean fans should expect him to slide.
It’s just not in the nature of someone who doesn’t shy away from absorbing contact and probably isn’t an easy endeavor for someone who stands 6 feet 6.
“I’m not a slider,” said Iamaleava, who was his team’s leading rusher last season with 505 yards and four touchdowns.
So, no baseball growing up?
“No baseball,” Iamaleava said. “I tried; baseball just wasn’t it for me. I’m not a great slider, so, you know, you guys will see me just get down.”
One of his jobs Friday was to get his teammates pumped up as the designated hype man during the stretching period, though in true trash-talking spirit, he received mixed reviews.
“Defense said, you know, I didn’t get my offense hyped up enough,” Iamaleava said, cracking a grin, “so I’ll do a better job.”
As he spoke with reporters, Iamaleava seemed more confident and poised than he was a year ago, when he arrived from Tennessee fresh off the upheaval of his controversial spring transfer. Now a redshirt junior, Iamaleava credited coach Bob Chesney with increasing his comfort level because of his energy and consistency in the way he runs the team.
Some are saying the same things about Iamaleava.
Defensive back Rodrick Pleasant, who has known Iamaleava since they were high school rivals, said he appreciated his galvanizing presence.
“He’s bringing people with him,” Pleasant said. “That’s been the most impressive thing about it — he’s bringing guys along, making guys better day in and day out, and he’s holding us accountable.”
Part of that involves holding himself to a high standard when it comes to bringing the team together.
“Man, I’m just trying to get better myself at that every day and, you know, elevating the other leaders that are on our team to be more vocal out there, you know?” Iamaleava said. “We talk a lot of trash, and I think that gets the morale up. So, yeah, it’s been fun.”
Iamaleava was able to get more in sync with his receivers after they gathered for player-run practices over the summer. He took charge there as well by helping to organize the events.
“It’s not hard,” Iamaleava said with a smile. “Make a couple of group chats with the guys, and, you know, send them a text. But, yeah, it was fun doing those little player-led workouts.”
Sometimes Iamaleava finds himself awed by others who show up at the practice facility.
Among the NFL players who have given him advice while cycling through the Wasserman Center is Pro Bowl linebacker Eric Kendricks, the former UCLA star.
“Man, he just tells me to stay the course, you know, stay leading the guys, and be that positive energy to the guys,” Iamaleava said. “It was great having a lot of guys, a lot of legends come here and work out, and, you know, you get to chop it up with them a little bit.”
Reflecting on what he could do to prepare for what will likely be his final college season, Iamaleava ticked off a few desires.
“Just being more consistent with my game play, I think, week in, week out, whether that’s my preparation, how I eat, sleep,” he said, “I think [it’s about] taking that next step this year and really diving into that.”
But not sliding into it, some things never change.
