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Nico Iamaleava ‘didn’t want to leave’ UCLA after meeting Bob Chesney

April 11, 2026

LOS ANGELES — The sounds of shoulder pads clacking and helmets clanging filled the air Saturday morning at Spaulding Field for the UCLA football team’s fifth spring practice of the year.

For the first time this spring, the Bruins had a fully padded practice and immediately got after it. From competition drills to full-contact team periods, the players and coaches loved every bit of the action.

Senior quarterback Nico Iamaleava spoke after practice for the first time this spring. The Bruins’ captain is fitting into the new-look offensive scheme nicely after choosing to stick around for one more season in Westwood.

One of the first conversations Iamaleava had with UCLA coach Bob Chesney helped make the decision to stay that much easier.

“I think the first time after I met Coach Chesney, I was pretty sold on staying here. I didn’t want to leave. When I met Coach Chesney and got to sit down with him and have a conversation, then I got to meet with (UCLA offensive coordinator Dean Kennedy), it was a no-brainer,” Iamaleava said.

Everybody on the roster was looking forward to Saturday. Both sides of the ball were eager to hit the field with the festivities starting before practice even began.

Redshirt junior safety Cole Martin admitted that the offensive and defensive units were chirping at each other inside the locker room prior to the start of the day.

“It is competitive and every single day is competitive,” Martin said. “Everybody’s challenging each other to be the best version of themselves but it’s all fun. It’s all fun. It’s all love that’s coming from my brothers. So you know, it’s amazing. It’s looking good.”

Working through the kinks

The Bruins’ offense was on its heels for most of the morning.

During team periods, UCLA’s defensive line forced the quarterbacks to make quick decisions, but the secondary made life hard for the wide receivers.

Towards the end of practice during a 7-on-7 period, the defense didn’t allow a single catch as they interrupted passing windows and disrupted any rhythm that the offense was trying to establish.

With eight new wide receivers entering the program over the offseason, it’s understandable that not every practice will be perfect as they try to mesh with Iamaleava and the quarterback room.

On the ground is where the Bruins’ offense started to click.

After sitting out for most of Thursday’s practice, running back Wayne Knight returned to action. Slowly but surely, Knight worked himself into the rotation for carries.

However, again it was Jaivian Thomas and Anthony Woods who stole the show in the backfield.

The former had a couple of nice runs during live periods, including a touchdown near the goal line that got the coaching staff hyped up.

“Run game has been great,” Iamaleava said. “I think we have one of the top running back rooms in the nation, so I’m excited to see them go.”

Defense wins the day

It was another strong practice for the Bruins’ defense as bodies were flying all over the field.

The energy from the defensive back room has been high all month and it was no different Saturday.

From defensive backs coach Eddie Whitley Jr. and safeties coach Anthony DiMichele to the players, the intensity was off the charts.

DiMichele came over with Chesney from James Madison and has been among the most vocal coaches on the field since his arrival.

“He’s a great guy,” Martin said. “He’s one of those guys who are gonna make you better and challenge you every single day. He brings that energy out there … so having a coach that matches your energy and challenges you to be better just raises up the competition.”

That intensity carried over into tacking drills, with cornerback Dante Lovett showcasing his physicality a handful of times.

Lovett, a Virginia Tech transfer, is battling for a starting job. The redshirt junior played in four games last year and redshirted after the Hokies made a midseason coaching change.

After breaking out as a 12-game starter at safety for the Bruins last year, Martin has taken the reins as a leader in the position room.

Martin is expected to be paired with Utah transfer Tao Johnson in the secondary, potentially forming one of the best safety duos in the Big Ten next season.

Orange County Register

News Details

Nico Iamaleava ‘didn’t want to leave’ UCLA after meeting Bob Chesney

Working through the kinks

Defense wins the day

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