UCLA Football to Appear at Big Ten Media Days in Chicago

UCLA head coach Bob Chesney and three student‑athletes—quarterback Nico Iamaleava, strong safety Cole Martin and linebacker Sammy Omosigho—will represent the Bruins at the Big Ten Football Media Days in Chicago on July 29. The event will be held at the Hilton Chicago and marks the first season for Chesney, who arrives from James Madison after guiding the Dukes to a 21‑6 record, a Sun Belt championship and a College Football Playoff berth in 2025.

Iamaleava, a 6‑foot‑5 quarterback from Long Beach, enters his fourth collegiate season and second at UCLA. He has completed 449 of 702 passes for 4,858 yards and 34 touchdowns, adding 934 rushing yards and ten touchdowns. He helped the Bruins to a three‑game winning streak in 2025, including a victory over No. 7 Penn State. Martin, a Pasadena native, recorded 65 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss and one interception last season, contributing to UCLA’s top‑40 pass‑defense ranking. Omosigho, a transfer from Oklahoma, logged 50 tackles and 2.0 sacks as a reserve linebacker in 2025. The group will answer media questions about the team’s new coaching staff, large transfer class and expectations for the 2026 season.