UCLA Starting QB Nico Iamaleava to Undergo Surgery After Severe Knee Injury

Nico Iamaleava is set to begin a critical phase of his recovery after a severe left knee injury.

UCLA’s starting quarterback will undergo surgery either Monday or Tuesday, coach Bob Chesney said during his weekly press briefing.

“Nico is going to be out,” said Coach Bob Chesney. “It’s severe.”

Coach Chesney offered no timeline, but the expectation is that Iamaleava will miss the remainder of the season after being driven into the ground by two defenders during UCLA’s recent game against Oregon.

After that play, Iamaleava was replaced by Ty Dieffenbach, who has led the No. 9 Bruins (6‑0, 4‑0 in the Big Ten) to wins over Oregon and Wisconsin.

The looming question for Iamaleava is whether he will return for another college season or decide to enter the NFL Draft while facing an extended rehabilitation.

Dieffenbach, a senior, retains at least one more season of eligibility—potentially two—after redshirting his first two years at Pittsburgh and transferring to Cal Poly for his final college season.

His performance prior to the injury was already a concern, making another season in college more likely. In 2026 he completed 62.1% of his passes for 982 yards, four touchdowns and four interceptions.

Dieffenbach has filled the void convincingly, completing 64.1% of his passes for 307 yards, one touchdown and one interception. He shone on crucial moments against Wisconsin, notably completing a 28‑yard pass to Landon Ellis from his own end zone to keep a drive alive in the fourth quarter.

The Bruins aim to stay unbeaten this Saturday when they host Michigan State (2‑5, 0‑4) at the Rose Bowl.

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