Former Vols QB Nico Iamaleava comments on Joey Aguilar transferring from UCLA to Tennessee

Former Tennessee Vols quarterback Nico Iamaleava will be the starter for the UCLA Bruins this fall. 

Iamaleava transferred from Tennessee to UCLA in April. As a result of that move, former Appalachian State quarterback Joey Aguilar, who transferred to UCLA after the 2024 season, left the Bruins to join the Vols' quarterback room. 

Aguilar was expected to be the starter at UCLA in 2025 before Iamaleava's arrival. However, with Iamaleava joining the roster, Aguilar left for a situation where he would have a legitimate chance to compete for the starting job. 

On Thursday, at Big 10 Media Days, Iamaleava was asked about Aguilar and his decision to leave UCLA for Tennessee. 

"My mindset was [I'm] going in to compete with whoever was in there for the starting spot," said Iamaleava of Aguilar to ESPN. "I wish him nothing but the best. I know he's going to get the best [from the] fans out there. Hopefully he gets to experience all the positive things that I experienced."

Aguilar is competing with redshirt freshman Jake Merklinger and true freshman George MacIntyre for the starting job at Tennessee. Aguilar is considered the favorite due to his two seasons of experience at Appalachian State, but this is a truly open quarterback competition. 

Iamaleava, meanwhile, is locked in as UCLA's starting quarterback.