UCLA has landed former Tennessee five-star quarterback Nico Iamaleava, setting off what has quickly evolved into one of college football’s most intriguing quarterback situations.
The move triggered an unexpected chain reaction that now resembles a quarterback swap between two Power Four programs.
Less than 24 hours after Iamaleava announced his transfer to the Bruins, Joey Aguilar entered the transfer portal. Within hours, Aguilar, who had originally transferred to UCLA from Appalachian State, officially signed with the Volunteers.
This quarterback exchange is already positioning itself as a major storyline for the 2025 college football season.
Iamaleava reportedly initiated his departure by requesting a $4 million NIL deal from Tennessee. The move has cast him as a controversial figure among many college football fans.
Aguilar, meanwhile, finds himself with an unexpected opportunity to win over the Tennessee faithful.
Allan Bell, host of the Driving the Line podcast, believes Aguilar could capitalize significantly on his new situation.
“Hey Joey Aguilar, pro tip. If you come to Tennessee and give it your all, my friend you will leave a multi-millionaire and never pay for a thing again in this state. Not kidding,” Bell said. “You’ve been handed a lottery ticket, take advantage kid.”
According to ESPN’s Pete Thamel, Aguilar’s NIL deal with Tennessee is valued at approximately $1.2 million.
Vols fans are known for their passionate support. If Aguilar performs well and helps Tennessee win important games, he could quickly become a celebrated figure in Knoxville.
On3’s Ari Wasserman compared Aguilar’s potential impact to that of former Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia.
“Can you imagine if Aguilar is Tennessee’s Diego Pavia?” Wasserman asked. “Can you imagine if Aguilar plays like Pavia — wild and free and passionately — and loves Tennessee like true Volunteers do? Can you imagine if he is a VFL (Vol for Life)?”
Pavia gained national recognition last season with his distinctive playing style and by leading Vanderbilt to an upset victory over Alabama that transformed perceptions of the program.
If Aguilar follows a similar path at Tennessee, this unexpected quarterback exchange could reshape the narrative for both programs heading into next season.
