The Miami football program could be a good fit for 2023 five-star quarterback Nicholaus Iamaleava according to Adam Gorney of Rivals.Com. Alabama, Georgia, Oregon and UCLA are the programs currently trending for Iamaleava according to 247 Sports. Could the culture fit for Miami sway Iamaleava?
Iamaleava is the ninth-ranked player, fourth-ranked dual-threat QB and second-ranked in California according to Rivals. The 247 Sports composite rankings have Iamaleava as the seventh-ranked player, fourth-ranked QB overall and second in California. Miami has a long history of signing QBs from California.
Miami all-time leading passer Brad Kaaya is the most recent QB to compete for the Hurricanes from California. Jake Garcia who signed with Miami in 2021, is originally from California but finished his high school football career in Georgia after the Golden State suspended the 2020 fall season.
Garcia could be the heir apparent at QB for the Miami football program. Starting QB Tyler Van Dyke will be eligible for the 2023 NFL Draft. If Van Dyke chooses to leave after the 2022 season, Garcia, 2022 signee Jacurri Brown and potentially any 2023 signee with Miami would compete to be the starter that fall.
"“Miami seems to be intriguing him as well. His personality would definitely fit in well with the Hurricanes.”"
Garcia would be a great mentor for Iamaleava with their shared California roots. Brown is from Georgia. The expectation is that Iamaleava will commit to Oregon. Iamaleava is listed as 100 percent to Oregon by Rivals and the only crystal ball from 247 Sports projects him to the Ducks.
Miami has offered 13 QBs in the Class of 2023. None of the 13 QBs are strongly considering Miami according to 247. Five-star QB Dante Moore could be another player to watch. Miami offensive coordinator Josh Gattis had a previous relationship with Moore when he was at Michigan.
Miami has significantly upgraded their talent at QB in the last three classes with Van Dyke, Garcia and Brown. With head coach Mario Cristobal, Gattis and QB coach Frank Ponce, the Hurricanes should continue to sign elite signal-callers. Iamaleava took an unofficial visit to Miami in January.
According to his 247 Sports timeline, Miami is the only school that Iamaleava has visited thus far. At 6’5, 195 pounds Iamaleava is an all-around athlete who also plays volleyball. The athleticism that Iamaleava has makes him the prototype modern QB. Hopefully, the culture fit with Miami will persuade Iamaleava.