Nico Iamaleava's departure from Tennessee this past spring did not go smoothly, as reports surfaced suggesting that Iamaleava was potentially seeking $4 million from the Volunteers next season as part of his name, image, and likeness deal with the school.

UCLA quarterback Nico Iamaleava said Thursday that his main motivation for transferring this spring was proximity to family, not the money in his NIL deal.

Iamaleava brings with him a winning mindset to UCLA that they desperately need. While UCLA hasn’t won a national championship since 1954, Iamaleava at least brings a fresh perspective and lofty goals to a program that’s been mediocre at best for far too long.