Five-Star QB Nico Iamaleava Includes Alabama in His Top Five Schools

The California native is one of the Crimson Tide's top targets in the 2023 class.

Alabama has made the cut for one of its biggest targets in the 2023 class. Five-star quarterback Nick Iamaleava announced his top five schools Wednesday night, including the Crimson Tide along with Georgia, Miami, Oregon and Tennessee.

Iamaleava, a Long Beach, California native, is coming off a junior season in which he completed 59.6 percent of his passes for 2,244 yards and 33 touchdowns with just one interception over nine games. He also ran for 158 yards and three touchdowns and led Warren High School to the San Valley League Championship.

Iamaleava, 6-foot-6, 195 pounds, is rated as the No. 4 quarterback and No. 7 overall player in the 2023 class, according to the 247Sports composite. He is one of Alabama’s top targets at the position along with Arch Manning and Texas A&M commit Eli Holstein.

SI All-American evaluation

"There are a bevy of top quarterbacks to break down in the class of 2023, but beyond the Manning name, no passer has created more recent and audible buzz than Iamaleava has over the last six months or so. Breaking out as a massive junior at Downey (Calif.) Warren High School to the tune of 33 touchdowns to just one single interception, the production and sheer size and power of the quarterback's right arm is a storyline in and of itself.

"In seeing Iamaleava in person in January, there were cameras everywhere the 6-foot-6 passer walked, ran or threw towards — and rightfully so. Not only does his size and arm talent capture even the casual observer's attention, but he's got the charismatic personality, big hair and captivating smile to back it up. The Team Toa standout seems to have it all, and the samples of his excellence were countless even on that day. But one throw, in particular, was as strong a flash play as any offseason scout will see until the pads are back on in fall camp. 

Got my first in-person look at touted 2023 QB @nico_iamaleava8 and the intrigue is easy to understand. Thought this was his best ball I got on tape at the Battle 7v7 Miami. Just a rope. pic.twitter.com/FqUh9Hfd3j

— John Garcia, Jr. (@JohnGarcia_Jr) January 26, 2022

"Iamaleava roped the rail shot over one defender's head and in front of the rotating safety, right at the pylon, on a ball that looked like a cheat code in a 1990s video game in how it froze time. The scary part of the throw was that it was a quick-trigger decision from the junior, as in his feet weren't completely set and he didn't get the full, slide step with a strong foundation in letting it go. Taking a page out of the Aaron Rodgers book, it was a one-throw example of why the ceiling on Iamaleava may be the highest of all 2023 quarterbacks when all is said and done.

"Back on his junior tape, Iamaleava's flashes stand out more than his gaudy production or unmatched TD-INT ratio. The activity he shows in the pocket, with enough movement skill to be effective outside of it, is staggering. The overall athleticism combines with the unmatched arm strength like few prospects can duplicate even at the collegiate level. Think of a more active Justin Herbert, but taller and more filled out at the same stage, with body contortion, off-script showcasing ability and body control to boot. 

"Now, there is some added polish to be had with Iamaleava's mechanics, especially in how he handles the football at times, but most are correctable even before he reaches the college level. Mix in the aggression and competitiveness of his being among the nation's top volleyball players into the mix, and this projects like a once-in-a-generation quarterback recruit on the surface level." — John Garcia Jr., Director of Football Recruiting for Sports Illustrated. 

Gallery: Nico Iamaleava

Nico Iamaleava's Instagram account, nico_iamaleava8

Nico Iamaleava's Instagram account, nico_iamaleava8