How the Bruins look at quarterback – Orange County Register

LOS ANGELES — Bob Chesney’s first roster as UCLA football coach was always going to dramatically look different.

And if going by Nico Iamaleava’s collegiate-career experience alone, the Bruins may have been searching in the transfer portal for a new starting quarterback. A year ago, UCLA thought Appalachian State quarterback Joey Aguilar was its transfer portal signal caller.

A few months later, at the end of spring camp, Iamaleava trotted into town – ridding himself of the Rocky Top dramatics that sent him from Tennessee to Westwood – and joined the Bruins for the 2025 season under then-head coach DeShaun Foster and former offensive coordinator Tino Sunseri.

Iamaleava made it clear when he arrived at UCLA – he wanted to come home. And the Long Beach kid, who played at Warren High in the South Bay, is remaining a Bruin under Chesney. UCLA will have a new coach, but will keep its quarterback, one who will attempt to improve to take a step forward with the 2027 NFL Draft on his mind.

The soon-to-be redshirt junior’s decision to return to UCLA decided for backup quarterback Luke Duncan where his future lay. Duncan, who had backed-up a plethora of signal callers across three years at UCLA, transferred to Nevada, where he’ll be far more likely to earn starting snaps.

Returning Nico Iamaleava’s younger brother – Madden Iamaleava – as a potential backup option remains a possibility. The Arkansas transfer will be a redshirt freshman for the 2026 season.

Madden Iamaleava, at 6-foot-3, however, is shorter than his older brother, who stands 6-6. Chesney, and new offensive coordinator Dean Kennedy – who will also serve as quarterbacks coach – brought in a local Southern California product to compete for second-string snaps.

Ty Dieffenbach – in Nico Iamaleava’s mold at 6-6 – from Agoura High, will come in after a multi-year stint at Pittsburgh and spent nine games last season as the starting quarterback at Cal Poly in the FCS. The Calabasas native recorded 13 touchdowns (nine passing and four rushing) for the Mustangs during his redshirt sophomore campaign in 2025.

Make no mistake, Nico Iamaleava’s year-to-year improvement – or lack thereof – will be UCLA’s biggest storyline under Chesney heading into the spring and eventually the fall.

As the first transfer-portal window has wrapped – although exceptions are always possible – here’s a full breakdown of the movement in UCLA’s quarterback room entering spring, the first in a six-part series examining the post-portal scholarship outlook for every part of the roster.

Quarterback

Returning: Nico Iamaleava, R-Jr; Madden Iamaleava, R-Fr; Colton Gumino, R-FR.

Arriving: Ty Dieffenbach (portal, Cal Poly), R-Jr; DJ Bordeaux (Legend High, Parker, CO)

Departing: Luke Duncan (portal, Nevada), R-Jr.; Henry Hasselbeck (portal, Appalachian State), R-So; Pierce Clarkson (portal, undecided).

TOP QUESTIONS

Will Chesney and Co. play to Iamaleava’s strengths?

Throughout UCLA’s 2025 season, Iamaleava used his legs to extend plays with his length and mobility. So did James Madison quarterback Alonza Barnett III.

Kennedy, UCLA’s offensive coordinator, has become known for creative playcalling, including helping Barnett tally 15 touchdowns on the ground during the Dukes’ College Football Playoff run.

A dual-threat emphasis can only help Iamaleava. Much of his long runs came on last-ditch attempts to clinch a first down where receivers were not available down field. Such success came in UCLA victories, such as the upset win over No. 7 Penn State or the team’s road triumph against Michigan State.

With designed runs, Iamaleava can take the next leap of his career. Improving accuracy, where the Bruins’ starting signal caller faltered late in the season – often overthrowing his wideouts – will need to remain top of Iamaleava’s mind as well, however.

Who will be backup?

Outside of Nico Iamaleava, Madden Iamalaeva is the only UCLA quarterback to have taken snaps in 2025 (albeit a brief, one-quarter appearance backing up Duncan against Ohio State).

On the periphery and before spring camp starts, Dieffenbach’s profile better fits Chesney’s system. Considering his similar build to Nico Iamaleava, the transfer’s odds appear higher for second-string status.