Iamaleava’s Comeback Season Begins

Nico Iamaleava returns to the UCLA starting lineup in 2026, aiming to bounce back after a disappointing 2025 season that saw the Bruins go 3-9 and led to the firing of their head coach. With new coach Bob Chesney—whose FCS-to-FBS turnaround at James Madison included a College Football Playoff run—bringing fresh systems, there’s renewed optimism for both the team and Iamaleava’s potential. The veteran QB, who showed flashes of leadership at Tennessee, now faces the challenge of guiding a roster full of inexperienced players in UCLA’s first Big Ten season. CBS analyst David Cobb labels him “Proven and Predictable,” suggesting he’s primed for a breakout year—and with Chesney’s proven track record, the Bruins are hoping 2026 marks their true turning point. Support the show:Get a discount at https://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/e1022b1b173f6ba1