The Tennessee Volunteers are now actively in the market for a transfer quarterback to bolster their roster for the 2025 season. The spring transfer portal window has prompted several programs to reevaluate their quarterback depth, and the Vols are no exception following an unexpected shift at the position.
Tennessee’s quarterback room took a significant hit when former starting quarterback Nico Iamaleava made a surprising post-spring commitment to UCLA. After initially leading the Vols and showing strong potential, Iamaleava’s transfer decision has left Tennessee with just two scholarship quarterbacks: redshirt freshman Jake Merklinger and highly-touted early enrollee true freshman George MacIntyre.
With a thin quarterback room heading into summer workouts, Tennessee is now one of several programs exploring options in the portal—and one name is beginning to generate serious buzz in Knoxville.
UCLA quarterback Joey Aguilar has officially entered the NCAA transfer portal, according to Matt Zenitz of 247Sports. Aguilar, who joined UCLA after the 2024 season, previously made his mark as the starting quarterback at Appalachian State. Now, Tennessee is emerging as one of the key contenders for his services.
According to On3’s Pete Nakos, Aguilar has drawn early interest from three programs: Tennessee, Tulane, and Wake Forest. Each offers a unique fit, but the Vols stand out due to their immediate need and the opportunity for Aguilar to potentially compete for the starting job in the SEC.
Aguilar’s journey to this point is one of resilience and steady progression. Before landing at UCLA, the 6-foot-3, 220-pound signal-caller played two seasons at Appalachian State (2023–2024) after transferring from Diablo Valley Community College in California. While at App State, Aguilar became a consistent and productive presence under center, starting 24 of 25 games and putting up impressive numbers.
He completed 511 of 850 passes, throwing for 6,760 yards with 56 touchdowns and 24 interceptions. Not just a threat through the air, Aguilar also added 456 rushing yards and five touchdowns on the ground over 140 carries, showcasing his dual-threat capabilities. His time at Diablo Valley was equally noteworthy, as he passed for 2,992 yards and 21 touchdowns across the 2021–2022 seasons.
For Tennessee, landing Aguilar would provide both depth and experience. With only two young quarterbacks currently on the roster, bringing in a veteran like Aguilar could serve as a stabilizing force. Not only does he offer experience at the collegiate level, but he has also shown he can produce against high-level competition.
It remains to be seen which of the three reported schools will ultimately land Aguilar, but Tennessee’s urgent need at quarterback could make them a leading candidate. As the post-spring portal window heats up, expect Tennessee to continue pushing hard to solidify its quarterback room ahead of summer workouts and fall camp.
With Aguilar’s track record and Tennessee’s offensive potential, this could be a pairing that benefits both sides heading into what promises to be an intriguing 2025 college football season.