Tennessee Scores Big with Addition of Former UCLA QB Joey Aguilar..
Tennessee has made a significant addition to its football roster by acquiring former UCLA quarterback Joey Aguilar in a notable transfer swap. Aguilar, who originally transferred from Appalachian State to UCLA earlier this offseason, decided to move to Tennessee after UCLA secured Tennessee’s former QB Nico Iamaleava.
Aguilar brings valuable experience to the Volunteers, having started 25 games at Appalachian State where he threw for 6,760 yards, 56 touchdowns, and 24 interceptions with a 60.8% completion rate. Last season, he threw for 3,003 yards with 23 touchdowns and 14 interceptions, earning honorable mention in the All-Sun Belt team[4][9]. At 6-foot-3 and 220 pounds, Aguilar is seen as a reliable game manager who fits well into Tennessee’s offensive scheme under coach Josh Heupel[5].
This quarterback swap came after Iamaleava, a highly touted 5-star recruit who started for Tennessee, transferred to UCLA following an NIL dispute. Aguilar’s arrival provides Tennessee with a seasoned signal-caller to lead the offense while the program awaits the arrival of blue-chip recruit Faizon Brandon in 2026[4.
Analysts view Aguilar as a steady presence who can manage the game effectively, even if he is not as dynamic a playmaker as Iamaleava. His addition strengthens Tennessee’s quarterback room, which previously lacked experienced depth, and could help the Volunteers contend for an eight to nine-win season in 2025.
Overall, Tennessee’s acquisition of Joey Aguilar is seen as a strategic move to stabilize the quarterback position and maintain competitiveness in the SEC for the upcoming season.
