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Power-4 QB explains why he turned down a lucrative NIL offer from Tennessee Vols following Nico Iamaleava's transfer to UCLA
Raymond Carlin III-Imagn Images

Before landing former UCLA quarterback Joey Aguilar via the transfer portal (in the wake of Nico Iamaleava's transfer from UT to UCLA), the Tennessee Vols pursued several other options. 

One of those options was TCU quarterback Josh Hoover, a redshirt junior who is from Texas. 

The Star-Telegram reported in April that Tennessee offered Hoover a $1 million raise. 

"Tennessee offered Hoover roughly $1 million more than he currently makes at TCU but Hoover quickly turned down the Vols to remain in Fort Worth," wrote The Star-Telegram's Steven Johnson. "Hoover already has a seven figure salary in Fort Worth." 

Earlier this summer, Hoover was asked about the lucrative offer from Tennessee and his decision to stay at TCU. 

"I love Forth Worth, I love TCU," said Hoover when asked why he decided to decline the offer from Tennessee. "This is the place I want to be at. TCU is a top program and that's why I came here. I came here to win a Big 12 Championship. I told my teammates I was going to be the quarterback here this year. And the way I grew up, your word means something. That's all there was to it. I love TCU. I love Fort Worth."

"Nope, not really," added Hoover when asked if it was a hard decision to say no to Tennessee. "I love TCU. This is where I want to be. I love Forth Worth. My family is close. Love the people here. Love playing with my teammates and coaches. I want to go win a Big 12 Championship."

I think any college football fan can respect that answer from Hoover. Money is certainly an understandable factor for college football players, but it's also nice to see a decision not based solely on money (though you can't blame the Vols for trying). 

Hoover is a good quarterback. He'll probably be one of the top quarterbacks in college football in 2025. It's easy to see why Tennessee was interested in bringing him to Rocky Top (3,949 passing yards and 27 passing touchdowns in 2024). 

Instead, the Vols will feature a quarterback competition during fall camp between Aguilar, redshirt freshman Jake Merklinger, and true freshman George MacIntyre. 

This article first appeared on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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