Report: Tennessee meeting with former UCLA QB Joey Aguilar after Nico Iamaleava transfer

In a surprising turn of events, Tennessee and UCLA have effectively swapped quarterbacks, with Joey Aguilar transferring to the Volunteers following Nico Iamaleava’s move to the Bruins. This exchange, though unofficial, has been likened to a trade in professional sports.

Iamaleava’s departure from Tennessee was precipitated by a dispute over his Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deal. Seeking to increase his 2025 earnings from $2.4 million to $4 million, Iamaleava skipped practices and team meetings, leading to his exit from the program . He has since joined UCLA, where his NIL compensation is reportedly less than $2.4 million.

Aguilar, who had recently transferred from Appalachian State to UCLA and was expected to start for the Bruins, found himself displaced by Iamaleava’s arrival. In response, he entered the transfer portal and committed to Tennessee shortly thereafter .

At Appalachian State, Aguilar demonstrated his capabilities by throwing for 6,760 yards and 56 touchdowns over two seasons . His experience and performance make him a valuable addition to Tennessee’s roster, which also includes quarterbacks Jake Merklinger and George MacIntyre.

Financially, Aguilar’s move to Tennessee maintains parity with his previous NIL deal at UCLA, estimated at around $1.2 million .

This quarterback exchange underscores the evolving dynamics of college football, where NIL agreements and the transfer portal significantly influence player movements and team compositions.