It's been quite a ride for the Tennessee Volunteers over the past few weeks. Spring is supposed to be a time for building the program and preparing for the fall, but a major wrench was thrown into the plan for head coach Josh Heupel when last year's starting quarterback, Nico Iamaleava, announced his intent to transfer.
The ins and outs of what actually happened don't matter. What we know is that there was an NIL negotiation that apparently wasn't going great. Iamaleava seemingly "held out" of a practice and a team meeting, which caused Tennessee to move on. Iamaleava's side, of course, made it seem like it was his idea to leave Rocky Top.
Either way, last season's starting quarterback for the Vols is now going to UCLA, and the Vols have already found his replacement.
Ironically, it's going to be UCLA quarterback Joey Aguilar, who hadn't even taken a snap for the Bruins.
BREAKING: UCLA transfer QB Joey Aguilar is expected to transfer to Tennessee, @PeteNakos_ reportshttps://t.co/smvVYcd3sx https://t.co/SU2DLkl7r2 pic.twitter.com/yr9nit8PY3
— On3 (@On3sports) April 21, 2025
Well, well, well, how the turntables in college football.
Aguilar spent the past two seasons at Appalachian State. He totaled 6,760 yards and 56 touchdowns (24 interceptions) in those two seasons. He was the Sun Belt Newcomer of the Year in 2023 as well as a second-team All-Sun Belt player. Before App State, he played two seasons of JUCO ball at Diablo Valley College
He decided to transfer from App State to UCLA earlier this spring, but ironically, it was Iamaleava's decision to leave Tennessee and commit to UCLA that brings him to Rocky Top.
If this quarterback switch isn't the epitome of the college football transfer portal era, nothing else could be.
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