Tennessee football could look at UCLA quarterback Joey Aguilar as a potential transfer now that former Vols quarterback Nico Iamaleava is in line to take his job with the Bruins.
A quarterback swap would add another strange chapter to this offseason saga.
Aguilar and UCLA’s other quarterbacks have been told that Iamaleava is expected to transfer to UCLA, according to multiple reports. That could push Aguilar into the transfer portal less than four months after transferring from Appalachian to UCLA.
Aguilar has not entered the portal yet. But ESPN’s Chris Low reported that Aguilar’s representatives have been calling schools to gauge their interest.
Tennessee coach Josh Heupel said the Vols would add a quarterback from the portal after Iamaleava left over a dispute about NIL pay. Heupel has not identified potential quarterback transfers. However, Aguilar would be the among the best available options for the Vols if seeks a transfer.
Here’s what you should know about Aguilar and Tennessee’s quarterback situation.
Joey Aguilar broke passing records at Appalachian State
Aguilar is a veteran quarterback who broke records at Appalachian State and transferred to UCLA in December. He was in line to be the starting quarterback until Iamaleava came on the scene.
Aguilar passed for 6,760 yards and 56 touchdowns in two seasons at Appalachian State. Before that, he passed for almost 3,000 yards and 21 TDs in two seasons at Diablo Valley Community College in Pleasant Hill, California.
Joey Aguilar got an extra season of eligibility
Aguilar has one season of eligibility remaining because the NCAA granted a blanket waiver to junior college transfers for one additional year.
If Aguilar transferred to UT, he could compete with redshirt freshman Jake Merklinger for the starting job. The Vols must replace Iamaleava, who helped UT to a 10-3 record and the College Football Playoff last season.
Joey Aguilar is an experienced starting quarterback
Aguilar is experienced with 41 games played in college, including 24 starts at Appalachian State.
The 6-foot-3, 220-pounder is from Antioch, California. He did not receive a Division I scholarship offer out of high school. But he had a successful stint in junior college, which drew multiple FBS offers. He was in line to sign with Coastal Carolina, but a coaching change re-directed his recruitment to Appalachian State.
In 2023, Aguilar was the Sun Belt Conference Newcomer of the Year and the Cure Bowl MVP after breaking multiple school records. He passed for 3,757 yards, 33 TDs and 10 interceptions. And he rushed for 249 yards and three TDs.
In 2024, Aguilar passed for 3,003 yards, 23 TDs and 14 interceptions. And he rushed for 207 yards and two TDs.
Who Tennessee football already has at quarterback
UT has two scholarship quarterbacks, Merklinger and freshman George MacIntyre.
Merklinger, a former four-star recruit, passed for 48 yards in two games as a freshman in 2024. He was the No. 11 quarterback in the 2024 class, according to 247Sports Composite rankings.
MacIntyre, a four-star recruit, signed with UT in the 2025 class and enrolled in January. The former Brentwood Academy standout was ranked the No. 13 quarterback in the 2025 class.
Adam Sparks is the Tennessee football beat reporter. Email adam.sparks@knoxnews.com. X, formerly known as Twitter@AdamSparks. Support strong local journalism by subscribing at knoxnews.com/subscribe.
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