In Reply to: ESPN on Nico posted by CoastalBruin on April 23, 2025 at 10:56:03
One article suggests it may not have been Nico's decision. Now we are told that it was Nico who personally felt betrayed by the leaks, and the dad wanted him to sleep on it before deciding.
One side says he wanted $4 million, the other side denies it.
One side says there was a problem with payments being delivered; the other side denies any problem with payments.
The dad is definitely going to be a problem. What the article didn't mention is all the strange doings around Madden. That kid left his high school team a few games into the season and tried to transfer to LB Poly, but was ruled ineligible and essentially missed his senior season. He was committed to UCLA for a long time before picking Arkansas on signing day, even though he apparently had never even visited Arkansas (which definitely seems like a place you'd want to visit before choosing).
Having said all that, I like Foster's comments and am still glad (thrilled) we are bringing these guys in. We've now added 2 highly coveted QB's (staggered 2 years apart) with a lot of eligibility left, one a proven high FBS starter. Both are good athletes who can move. Plus ...
Nico is now in a corner where he has to play well at UCLA or see his stock (college or pro) further eroded. From reading an Arkansas Board yesterday it seems that the coaches there were high on Madden, who graduated HS early and was already participating in their spring practices. He basically only started one year in high school, and for him too it's probably succeed at UCLA or not at all at this point. His transfer value has to be extremely diminished now, and as long as Nico is at UCLA he knows he has to wait to play here.
And if it all goes badly (and it very well might) the Foster era will close out pretty quickly and we can start over. Foster and the Iamaleavas are either going to win here very soon or all go up in smoke together. Whatever happens, we are in a much better position than we were a week ago. If the article is correct, it also shows that UCLA has some sources to tap for money.