Nico Iamaleava’s Heisman odds plummet after Tennessee-to-UCLA transfer
Nico Iamaleava has seen his Heisman Trophy odds drop significantly following his transfer from Tennessee to UCLA.
The quarterback’s odds fell from +1100 at Tennessee to +8000 at UCLA according to FanDuel Sportsbook.
While at Tennessee, Iamaleava was considered one of college football’s top returning quarterbacks after leading the Volunteers to the College Football Playoff as a sophomore.
His previous odds weren’t far behind Heisman favorites LSU’s Garrett Nussmeier and Texas’ Arch Manning, both listed at +800.
Several factors likely contributed to this dramatic shift in his Heisman prospects.
UCLA finished with a 5-7 record last season, a stark contrast to Tennessee’s CFP appearance. Even if Iamaleava helps the Bruins improve to an 8-4 record, such a performance would likely fall short of generating serious Heisman consideration.
The transfer saga itself may have cost Iamaleava public support, which often plays a role in Heisman voting.
After the controversial transfer process, Iamaleava now faces the challenge of rebuilding his reputation on the field with the Bruins.
While oddsmakers have significantly downgraded his Heisman chances, Iamaleava will soon have the opportunity to prove his critics wrong when the season begins.
