Why did Joey Aguilar transfer from UCLA to Tennessee? Explaining the QB 'trade' with Nico Iamaleava

In April 2025, the college football world was shocked when Tennessee star quarterback Nico Iamaleava announced he was entering the transfer portal, then committed to UCLA. Iamaleava was coming off a 10-3 season where he led the Volunteers to the College Football Playoff. After transferring to the Bruins, UCLA quarterback Joey Aguilar went the other way, committing to Tennessee a day later.

Since then, it has been known as college football's "quarterback trade," with Iamaleava and Aguilar switching places. So far, Aguilar has been the better of the two, throwing for five touchdowns in two games with the 2-0 Volunteers.

Through two games, the Volunteers have the fourth-highest scoring offense in America, averaging 58.5 points per game. Before the ranked showdown at Neyland Stadium against No. 6 Georgia, Aguilar's father thanked Iamaleava, saying "I think it's clear who won the trade."

— On3 (@On3sports) September 10, 2025

Before Aguilar has his first major test, let's revisit his decision to transfer to Tenneessee this spring.

MORE: Joey Aguilar’s father shares surprising message on Nico Iamaleava

Why did Joey Aguilar transfer from UCLA to Tennessee?

Aguilar, who spent the 2023 and 2024 seasons at Appalachian State, transferred to UCLA in December 2024 with the expectation that he would be the Bruins' starter. In two seasons with the Mountaineers, Aguilar threw for 6,760 yards, 56 touchdowns and 24 interceptions, while also adding five touchdowns on the ground. 

Though Aguilar spent only a few months in Los Angeles, Iamaleava—reportedly discontent with Tennessee since December—committed to UCLA in April 2025. A day later, Aguilar committed to Tennessee, announcing his decision on April 29 with an Instagram post that concluded: “I can’t wait to get to Rocky Top! I’m ready to give my all for Tennessee.”

MORE: Tennessee QB Joey Aguilar's path from Diablo Valley to Rocky Top

In his two seasons at Appalachian State, Aguilar threw for at least 200 yards in all 24 starts and had six 300-yard games. In 2024, Iamaleava only threw for at least 200 yards in five out of his 13 starts. He totaled 2,616 yards, 19 passing touchdowns and five interceptions.

Joey Aguilar has more passing yards (288) at halftime against ETSU than Nico Iamaleava had in 11 out of 13 games last season. pic.twitter.com/ja5IbbpdL1

— Jordan Moore (@jordanmoore_21) September 6, 2025

In Knoxville, Aguilar beat out redshirt freshman Jake Merklinger and freshman George MacIntyre for the 2025 starting quarterback job.

Joey Aguilar Stats

In two games with the Volunteers, Aguilar has gotten off to a scorching-hot start. He has thrown for 535 yards and five touchdowns, leading a Tennessee offense that is second in America, averaging 605 yards per game.

JOEY AGUILAR --> Braylon Staley TOUCHDOWN pic.twitter.com/VwJ56abwYq

— gmannVOLS (@gmannVOLS) August 30, 2025

Before arriving in Knoxville, Aguilar was the starter for two seasons at Appalachian State, leading the Mountaineers to a 14-11 combined record. In 2023, he was the Sun Belt Newcomer of the Year in 2023 after setting single-season Appalachian State records in passing yards (3,757), passing touchdowns (33), total yards from scrimmage (4,002), completions (293) and attempts (460).

— Emilie Rae Cochrane (@EmCochranetv) September 6, 2025

Nico Iamaleava stats

Out west, Iamaleava has gotten off to a rough start with UCLA, who sits at 0-2 after losses to Utah and UNLV. The redshirt sophomore has 391 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions, with a quarterback rating of 67.0 through two games.

— Unnecessary Roughness (@UnnecRoughness) August 31, 2025

In 2024, Iamaleava was at the helm for Tennessee's first-ever College Football Playoff appearance, leading the Volunteers to ranked wins over No. 24 North Carolina State, No. 7 Alabama and No. 15 Oklahoma. Tennessee lost in the first round of the College Football Playoff to the eventual national champions, Ohio State.

MORE: Nico Iamaleava's camp was reportedly furious with Tennessee 

Joey Aguilar recruiting

Coming out of Diablo Valley College — where he was the starting quarterback for two seasons — Aguilar was a three-star recruit who committed to Appalachian State in December 2022. 

He transferred to UCLA in December 2024, but after the Volunteers moved on from Iamaleava, they offered Aguilar, who committed in April 2025.

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