WATCH: WR Mikey Matthews breaks down connection with Nico Iamaleava in camp
COSTA MESA, Calif. — Mikey Matthews figures to be one of the key components of UCLA’s offense this season. The Cal transfer is on his third school, but he is finally back home. The Irvine native has been able to build a bond with new Bruins’ quarterback Nico Iamaleava prior to his arrival in Westwood.
However, that has continued to grow as the two worked out over the summer and now into training camp. The preexisting relationship between the receiver and quarterback has helped ease the transition for both players.
“Nico’s my dog,” Matthews said Saturday. “We played through high school together. Just crossed paths together through seven-on-seven and stuff like that. So, we already had that connection. Coming out of high school I had a Tennessee offer, and I was thinking about going there. So, we had already built that connection beforehand, so when I knew he was coming here it was a blessing. Happy to have him here knowing that he’s going to get me that rock whenever.”
Matthews arrived from Cal in time for spring practice. So, he has hit training camp with a sense of what the offensive staff expects heading into the season. He has been pleased with the transition and work from the rest of the receiver room this summer.
“All of our receivers are pretty young,” Matthews said. “We all have some years on us besides Titus (Mokiao-Atimalala). … We’re all putting that work. We’re all catching at least 100 catches after practice on the jugs, we’re all hitting the sleds. Making sure our blocking technique is right, because you can’t throw the ball without running the ball.”
WR Mikey Matthews training camp media session
Video recorded by BruinBlitz staff writer Tracy McDannald.
