Tennessee will have a new starting quarterback in 2025 after Nico Iamaleava transferred to UCLA, and there is one very interesting candidate who is viewed as a potential replacement.
Iamaleava officially announced on Sunday that he has committed to UCLA. The redshirt sophomore left UCLA over a reported NIL dispute, though his camp claims there was another reason for the decision.
Either way, Tennessee needs a new QB. Jake Merklinger and George MacIntyre will likely have an opportunity to compete for the starting job, but ESPN’s Max Olson reports that the Volunteers have interest in Joey Aguilar as well.
Tennessee is expected to have interest in UCLA QB Joey Aguilar when he officially enters the portal later today, sources tell @ClowESPN.
— Max Olson (@max_olson) April 21, 2025
The Vols and Bruins swapping starters would be a quite an ending to this ordeal. pic.twitter.com/EVu0ouQiGa
Aguilar started at Appalachian State the last two seasons. He then transferred to — that’s right — UCLA in December. He re-entered the transfer portal on Monday in the wake of Iamaleava’s official decision.
If Tennessee wound up signing Aguilar, that would be quite the full-circle moment.
Aguilar struggled with accuracy last season, completing just 55.9% of his passes for 3,003 yards, 23 touchdowns and 14 interceptions. He would likely have to compete for a starting job at Tennessee even if he did wind up in Knoxville.
Tennessee will have to replace solid production from Iamaleava, who threw for 2,616 yards with 19 touchdown passes and 5 interceptions his first year as a starter last season. He also rushed for 358 yards and 3 scores while helping the Vols reach the College Football Playoff.
