Tennessee Lands Record-Breaking 6,700-Yard Quarterback to Replace Nico Iamaleava
The Tennessee Volunteers had to quickly pivot to the transfer portal for a new quarterback after parting ways with Nico Iamaleava. Amid plenty of skepticism, the Vols finally landed a new signal-caller after Iamaleava announced his decision to join UCLA.
At the very least, the quarterback moves will make for intriguing storylines come the fall. Tennessee now has a more veteran option to join Jake Merklinger and George MacIntyre for the upcoming quarterback competition.
Tennessee landed former App. State Mountaineers quarterback Joey Aguilar. Yet, the interesting part is that Aguilar had just transferred to the UCLA Bruins this offseason.
"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," ESPN's Chris Low detailed in an X message on Monday.
Both Tennessee Volunteers head coach Josh Heupel and quarterback Nico Iamaleava face decisions in the transfer portal.
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"He trades places with Nico Iamaleava, who transferred from Tennessee to UCLA in the current portal. Back to business as usual."
Before playing a snap for the Bruins, Aguilar entered the transfer portal after UCLA landed Iamaleava.
College football does not permit trades but Tennessee and UCLA just orchestrated the closest thing the sport has to a quarterback trade. Aguilar threw for 6,760 yards, 56 touchdowns and 24 touchdowns during his two seasons at App. State.
The quarterback also added 452 rushing yards and 5 touchdowns on the ground during this stretch as well. On3 had Aguilar has their third ranked available quarterback in the transfer portal.
Aguilar secured several school records at App. State prior to entering the portal. On3's Pete Nakos predicted Tennessee would land Aguilar hours before the news broke.
"Tennessee only has two scholarship quarterbacks available with Iamaleava’s departure, opening up a major need to add a transfer," Nakos wrote on Monday. "A veteran quarterback, Joey Aguilar set single-season school records in passing yards (3,757), passing touchdowns (33) and total offense (4,002) at Appalachian State in 2023. He was named the Sun Belt Newcomer of the Year."
