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Tennessee adds transfer QB to replace Nico Iamaleava, per report
Tennessee has its quarterback for the 2025 season, according to a report.
Per On3’s Pete Nakos, the Vols have secured a commitment from former App State and UCLA quarterback Joey Aguilar. Aguilar chose to enter the transfer portal this week following Iamaleava’s commitment to UCLA.
Aguilar’s arrival means the Vols will have an experienced quarterback in place of the departed Nico Iamaleava for the 2025 season. Aguilar has 1 year of eligibility remaining as he previously spent multiple years as App State’s starting quarterback.
In his college career, Aguilar has completed 60% of his passes for 56 touchdowns and 24 interceptions. He led the Mountaineers to a 9-win season in 2023, but App State took a step back in 2024 with a 5-6 campaign. Aguilar entered the transfer portal during the winter period after head coach Shawn Clark was fired by App State’s leadership.
This transfer closes the loop on what has been a chaotic start to the spring transfer window in Knoxville. The Vols have been in the quarterback market since they parted ways with Iamaleava more than a week ago and now have signed the player who Iamaleava displaced in Westwood.
Tennessee now has 3 scholarship quarterbacks on its roster: Aguilar, Jake Merklinger and true freshman George MacIntyre.
Spenser is a news editor for Saturday Down South and covers college football across all Saturday Football brands.