Nico Iamaleava, UCLA's redshirt junior quarterback, has been named to the Maxwell Award Watch List, recognizing him among the top players in college football. This award, given annually since 1937, highlights the most outstanding player, and Iamaleava is one of 81 players and 45 quarterbacks on this year’s list. Notably, this marks his second consecutive year being nominated. The award is named after Robert "Tiny" Maxwell, a significant figure in college football history.

By the Numbers
  • Iamaleava has completed 449 of 702 pass attempts, achieving a 64.0% completion rate.
  • He has thrown for 4,858 yards and 34 touchdowns while rushing for 934 yards and 10 touchdowns across 29 career games.
State of Play
  • Iamaleava led UCLA to a three-game winning streak in the 2025 season.
  • He contributed significantly to UCLA's historical win over a top-10 opponent, defeating No. 7 Penn State 42-37.
What's Next

Semifinalists for the Maxwell Award will be announced on November 10, with finalists revealed on November 24. The award winner will be declared during the ESPN Home Depot College Football Awards Show on December 10.

Bottom Line

Iamaleava's consistent performance and recognition highlight him as a strong contender for one of college football's top honors, indicating his potential impact on the upcoming season.