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Tennessee Reportedly Pulls Off Surprising Transfer Move After Nico Iamaleava Split

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By J.C. Shelton | Last updated Apr 21, 2025 7:20 PM ET

After losing starting quarterback Nico Iamaleava to the transfer portal, the Tennessee Volunteers have reportedly signed his replacement in surprising fashion.

Iamaleava's exit from Tennessee was chaotic to say the least. The former five-star recruit had just led the Vols to their first College Football Playoff appearance in program history before parting ways after NIL negotiations stalled.

Iamaleava previously signed a massive four-year NIL deal worth up to $10 million when coming out of high school. Per ESPN, Iamaleava's camp was looking to increase his yearly earnings to $4 million before his redshirt sophomore season.

After Iamaleava skipped Tennessee's final spring practice, head coach Josh Heupel and Co. decided to move on from their starting passer.

Iamaleava has since signed with UCLA, and the Vols have taken advantage of that move by landing Bruins' transfer quarterback Joey Aguilar, according to ESPN's Chris Low on Monday.

Aguilar transferred to UCLA in December after spending two seasons at Appalachian State. He re-entered the portal after the Bruins announced the addition of Iamaleava.

"The QB trade is complete," Low wrote on X. "Joey Aguilar plans to sign with Tennessee after transferring to UCLA from App. State in the winter portal, sources tell ESPN."

The QB trade is complete. Joey Aguilar plans to sign with Tennessee after transferring to UCLA from App. State in the winter portal, sources tell ESPN. He trades places with Nico Iamaleava, who transferred from Tennessee to UCLA in the current portal. Back to business as usual.
— Chris Low (@ClowESPN) April 21, 2025

Aguilar (6-foot-3, 220 pounds) is rated as one of the top available transfer quarterbacks and the No. 81 transfer at the position overall (247Sports).

The Oakley, California, native began his career at Diablo Valley Community College before signing with the Mountaineers ahead of the 2023 season.

After an injury forced Aguilar into the starting role in his first season at Appalachian State, he went on to start the final 13 games and ultimately earned Sun Belt Newcomer of the Year honors.

Aguilar completed 63.7% of his passes for 3,757 yards with 36 total touchdowns to 10 interceptions as a first-year starter. In 2024, he regressed a bit, completing 55.9% of his passes for 3,003 yards with 25 total touchdowns and a career-high 14 interceptions.

A large part of Tennessee's offense under Heupel hinges on athleticism from the quarterback. Aguilar does provide a dual-threat given his 452 rushing yards and five scores on the ground as a Mountaineer.

However, Aguilar's drop off as a passer last season is a concern as he makes the move to Tennessee. The Vols have just two other scholarship quarterbacks on the roster in redshirt freshman Jake Merklinger and true freshman George MacIntyre.

The challenge for Heupel and the Tennessee staff is adjusting to the new reality with spring practice already wrapped up. The Vols are slated to open the 2025 season against Syracuse on Aug. 30 from Atlanta's Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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