Could Nico Iamaleava be the next Heisman Trophy winner? The Los Angeles Times' Mirjam Swanson certainly thinks so, and she's making a compelling case that new UCLA head coach Bob Chesney is the key to unlocking the quarterback's immense potential.

Since taking over a struggling Bruins program, Chesney has engineered a remarkable turnaround. The energy and optimism around UCLA football have done a complete 180—think Ted Lasso levels of positivity. He's already reshaped the roster with over three dozen transfers and secured a top-five recruiting class for 2027. If he can pull off that kind of transformation, why not turn Iamaleava into a Heisman contender?

Last season, flashes of brilliance from Iamaleava were hard to spot amid UCLA's widespread struggles. After opening the year with losses to UNLV and New Mexico, the season seemed unsalvageable. Yet the 6'6" quarterback kept battling, even leading the Bruins to a three-game conference winning streak. It was a testament to his resilience, even if the overall record didn't reflect it.

Iamaleava arrived at UCLA as a mega-recruit from Tennessee, where his first year as a starter showed promise. But his departure from the Volunteers left a sour taste for some, making it easy to blame him for the Bruins' woes. Now, with a proven winner like Chesney at the helm, could this be the season Iamaleava silences the doubters and emerges as one of the nation's elite quarterbacks?

Swanson puts it perfectly: "Consider the unprecedented heights to which Chesney took tiny James Madison, and think of the places he can go with a junior QB whose trajectory had him headed toward Heisman Trophy hopefuldom before turbulence hit." She acknowledges UCLA's recent history—3-9 last season, just two bowl appearances in eight years—isn't exactly a shortcut to glory. But the newfound joy and positivity within the program are undeniable.

Of course, good vibes don't automatically translate to Heisman hardware. But for the first time in a while, UCLA fans have something to dream about this season. And with a bright future already taking shape for 2027, the present is looking pretty exciting too.