Nico I'amaleava, a native of Long
Beach, California, was raised by parents Nic and Leinna I'amaleava as the third of eight siblings. From
a young age, Nico displayed a passion for sports, with rugby serving as his initial athletic interest.
Along with his brothers, Nico participated in various youth sports including football, rugby, and
volleyball.
The I'amaleava family faced a devastating blow as Nico's mother was diagnosed with stage 4 breast
cancer. Despite these obstacles, Nico remained dedicated to his athletic pursuits and committed to making
it to the top for his family. Through countless hours of sacrifice and hard work, Nico compiled one of the
most successful high school careers in history. He was rated as the #1 overall high school football player
in the country, a 3-time all-league MVP, a top-ranked volleyball player, and a Junior National Team
representative.
Nico received over 30 offers for both football and volleyball and was recognized as an
All-American in both sports. He was recognized as the 2022 Polynesian Football Hall of Fame High School
Player of the Year and named the 2023 Polynesian Bowl MVP.
Nico attends the University of Tennessee as a 5-star quarterback. He is now one of the highest
rated football commits in Tennessee school history.
