Nico Iamaleava's brother, Madden Iamaleava, has announced he is following Nico to UCLA after the former four-star quarterback informed the Arkansas coaching staff of his plans to enter the transfer portal.
Madden flipped from UCLA to Arkansas in his initial signing decision out of high school, but it looks like he is heading back to California with his brother Nico.
247 Sports' Matt Zenitz reported on Monday evening that Madden is transferring from Arkansas after early enrolling in January.
On3 Sports reported shortly after that Madden has committed to UCLA, confirming that he and Nico will both return home to Los Angeles.
The decision for Madden to transfer could not come at a more perfect time after Nico's camp forced him to fumble the bag from Tennessee and a great quarterback-friendly offensive system for less money back home.
Nico's camp claimed that his decision to transfer from Tennessee was influenced by the Vols' offense. Heupel's system was apparently too fun, too explosive, and too exciting for the Iamaleava family, and it looks like Arkansas has fallen victim to the same excuses. Or have they?
Madden's decision to transfer and follow his brother to UCLA proves one thing about Nico's transfer decision: it was never about Tennessee, Josh Heupel, or the offense. It was always about leveraging money, backing the team into a corner, and giving the family and their ego a boost over a college football program.
When Heupel and the Vols called Nico's bluff, the family lost its power, forcing Nico to jump ship, whether he wanted to or not. The same seems to be the case for Madden, as the Iamaleava family could also be looking to bring him back home.
This is nothing more than the result of egos getting involved in talented athletic careers. Egos of parents, agents, and others dipping their hands in the college football pot are giving athletes bad advice in the name of a quick payday.
While it is disappointing to see the Iamaleava brothers out of the SEC, they will enjoy the next few years of their college football careers closer to home, playing in front of family in sunny Southern California.