In a surprising twist in the college football landscape, a quarterback trade has just gone down that has significant implications for both UCLA and Tennessee. Nico Iamaleava’s move to UCLA was finalized just a day before Joey Aguilar made the leap from UCLA to Tennessee—two players swapping jerseys in a manner of speaking.
Aguilar’s journey began when he transferred from Appalachian State to UCLA, where he was poised to take the reins as the Bruins’ starting quarterback this fall. However, the arrival of Iamaleava—a highly regarded prospect—on Sunday changed the dynamics significantly, prompting Aguilar to enter the spring transfer portal so quickly thereafter.
Tennessee Head Coach Josh Heupel had already indicated his intention to seek a new quarterback once Iamaleava decided to leave the program. Known for his keen eye for talent, Heupel wasted no time in expressing interest in Aguilar once he hit the market. Standing at 6-foot-3 and weighing 220 pounds, Aguilar brings a wealth of experience with a staggering 6,760 passing yards and 56 touchdowns accumulated over the last two seasons at Appalachian State, not to mention his earlier development at Diablo Valley Community College in California.
What’s particularly interesting about Aguilar’s move to Tennessee is that the financial terms are expected to align closely with what he had at UCLA—around $1.2 million remaining on his previous deal and something comparable at Tennessee, factoring in taxes to maintain his earnings. This is noteworthy given that he had already racked up over $200,000 during his short stint at UCLA.
Meanwhile, Iamaleava, who stepped in as Tennessee’s starting quarterback last season, entered the transfer portal almost unexpectedly. His decision caused a stir, especially after he missed practice and failed to notify his coaches. His absence during the Vols’ spring game raised eyebrows, as Coach Heupel later pointed out, “There’s no one that’s bigger than the Power T, and that includes me.”
Reports surfaced that Iamaleava’s representatives were pushing for a significant increase in his name, image, and likeness (NIL) deal, which was rumored to be around $2.4 million for the upcoming season. Initially, Iamaleava signed an impressive contract that could have netted him up to $10 million if he had remained with the program, that is, until negotiations stalled. The sides were reportedly discussing figures closer to $4 million before his departure from Tennessee.
As a quarterback, Iamaleava’s impact was notable in leading Tennessee to the College Football Playoff, notching 2,616 passing yards and 19 touchdowns last season. However, he faced challenges, especially against SEC defenses, only passing over 200 yards twice in nine games.
In contrast, Aguilar has made his mark more recently at Appalachian State, earning accolades such as the Sun Belt Conference Newcomer of the Year in 2023. His performance included setting a school record for total offense in his first year with 4,002 yards and another record for 33 touchdown passes during the regular season. His numbers dipped somewhat in this last season, but he certainly left his mark, having a standout game with 424 passing yards in a win over East Carolina. However, with any player comes risks—Aguilar also carried a burden of 14 interceptions last season.
As rumors circulated about UCLA being a destination for Iamaleava, Aguilar and his team began scouting other programs, leading to this significant trade of sorts. Coach DeShaun Foster of UCLA had previously expressed confidence in Aguilar’s abilities and the advantage of having a seasoned coordinator like Tino Sunseri to maximize Aguilar’s potential—albeit a sentiment that shifted with Iamaleava’s arrival.
Now, Aguilar finds himself gearing up for a fresh start at Tennessee, joining a quarterback room that includes redshirt freshman Jake Merklinger and true freshman George MacIntyre—each yet to see meaningful snaps in college. With just a short window to familiarize himself with the Vols’ system before preseason practices ramp up, Aguilar’s adaptation will be closely monitored by fans eagerly anticipating how this quarterback carousel will play out this season.
