Chris LowApr 21, 2025, 08:04 PM ET
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School soccer reporter
Joined ESPN.com in 2007
Graduate of the College of Tennessee
A day after Nico Iamaleava finalized his transfer from Tennessee to UCLA, Joey Aguilar is doing the identical from UCLA to Tennessee in what’s basically a quarterback commerce, sources instructed ESPN on Monday.
Aguilar transferred from Appalachian State to UCLA throughout the winter portal and was the front-runner to be the Bruins’ beginning quarterback this fall. However UCLA introduced the signing of Iamaleava on Sunday, and Aguilar entered the spring portal Monday.
Tennessee coach Josh Heupel mentioned on April 12 when asserting this system was transferring ahead with out Iamaleava that the Vols would add one other quarterback within the spring portal. When Aguilar turned obtainable, Tennessee instantly confirmed curiosity. The 6-foot-3, 220-pound senior has one 12 months of eligibility remaining after passing for six,760 yards and 56 touchdowns the previous two seasons at Appalachian State. Aguilar, initially from Antioch, California, began his profession at Diablo Valley Neighborhood School.
The deal that Aguilar is finalizing to go to Tennessee is analogous financially to the deal that he beforehand had at UCLA, sources instructed ESPN’s Pete Thamel. He had $1.2 million left at UCLA on his deal, and his new deal at Tennessee is near that. Factoring in taxes, will probably be related pay for Aguilar. He’d additionally already made greater than $200,000 in his first few months at UCLA.
Iamaleava, Tennessee’s starter final season as a redshirt freshman, entered the portal final Wednesday, the day it opened. He skipped apply the earlier Friday and didn’t alert coaches or teammates. After a number of individuals across the program tried to contact him that day, Iamaleava known as offensive coordinator Joey Halzle that evening to tell him that he was getting into the portal and didn’t attend the Vols’ spring recreation the following day. That morning, Heupel — who mentioned he by no means heard from Iamaleava — instructed the crew that Iamaleava would now not be a part of this system.
Heupel thanked Iamaleava for his contributions to this system however added, “There’s no one that’s bigger than the Power T, and that includes me.”
Iamaleava’s representatives had been pushing to have his NIL deal elevated, sources instructed ESPN, and On3 reported the Thursday earlier than Iamaleava missed apply Friday that the 2 sides had been in negotiations. Iamaleava was set to earn within the $2.4 million vary this 12 months from Tennessee. He signed his preliminary contract with the Spyre Sports activities Group, a Tennessee-based collective, whereas nonetheless in highschool. His full deal was reportedly $8 million however would have been nearer to $10 million had he stayed your complete time at Tennessee. Sources instructed ESPN that Iamaleava’s representatives needed a deal within the $4 million vary for him to remain at Tennessee for a 3rd season.
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Iamaleava redshirted his first season on campus and took over the beginning duties final 12 months in serving to to guide Tennessee to the School Soccer Playoff. He completed with 2,616 passing yards and 19 touchdowns however handed for greater than 200 yards solely twice in 9 video games towards SEC opponents and Ohio State within the playoff recreation.
Aguilar was the Solar Belt Convention Newcomer of the 12 months in 2023 and began 24 video games throughout his two years at Appalachian State. He set a faculty document with 4,002 yards of complete offense his first season for the Mountaineers and one other college document for the common season with 33 landing passes. His numbers dipped some in 2024 with 3,003 passing yards and 23 touchdowns. He had a profession excessive of 424 yards on 32 completions in a win over East Carolina. Aguilar was intercepted 14 instances final season and threw 24 interceptions throughout his two-year profession at Appalachian State.
UCLA coach DeShaun Foster mentioned two weeks in the past that he had “full belief” in what offensive coordinator Tino Sunseri may do with Aguilar due to Sunseri’s “record with one-year quarterbacks.”
Foster mentioned every day within the spring that Aguilar was settling down and “getting more comfortable running the offense.” Aguilar had been on campus for a part of solely three months. He’ll have about that very same period of time to prepare for the beginning of preseason apply at Tennessee. He’ll be part of redshirt freshman Jake Merklinger and true freshman George MacIntyre because the three scholarship quarterbacks on the roster. Neither has performed a significant faculty snap.
