By: Colton Towns
(Photo/Rodney Cofield- The Mojo Network)
UCLA quarterback Nico Iamaleava has been selected to the 2026 Maxwell Award Watch List, giving the redshirt junior another opportunity to compete for one of college football’s most prestigious individual honors.
Iamaleava is one of 81 FBS players included on this year’s list, with 45 quarterbacks represented. The Big Ten had the most selections among conferences with 17 players.
This is the second straight year Iamaleava has appeared on the Maxwell Award Watch List. UCLA has had just one player win the award, with Gary Beban receiving the honor in 1967.
The 6-foot-5 quarterback from Long Beach, California, enters his fourth collegiate season and his second season with the Bruins. Through 29 career games, including 26 starts, Iamaleava has completed 449 of 702 passes for 4,858 yards and 34 touchdowns. He has also produced 934 rushing yards and 10 rushing touchdowns.
Iamaleava played a major role during UCLA’s three-game winning streak in the middle of the 2025 season. The stretch included a memorable 42-37 upset of No. 7 Penn State, marking the Bruins’ first victory over an AP top-10 team since 2010.
Against the Nittany Lions, Iamaleava matched a career high with five total touchdowns. He finished the game with 166 passing yards and 128 rushing yards, earning multiple national weekly honors for his performance.