UCLA transfer quarterback Joey Aguilar plans to sign with Tennessee football after entering the transfer portal on Monday morning, ESPN’s Chris Low first reported Monday night.
Aguliar landing at Tennessee proves to be a first of its kind college football “trade.” Former Tennessee quarterback Nico Iamaleava officially committed to UCLA on Sunday afternoon after entering the transfer portal when it opened last week.
Aguilar transferred from Appalachian State to UCLA back in December to be the Bruins’ starting quarterback in his final year of college eligibility. With Iamaleava coming to Westwood to take his starting spot, Aguilar jumped back in the portal to look for a new home. Tennessee had yet to find a new quarterback in the portal and the two sides talked on Monday eventually agreeing to a one-year marriage.
The 6-foot-3, 220-pound super senior quarterback joins a quarterback room that includes redshirt freshman Jake Merklinger and early enrollee George MacIntyre. Josh Heupel will likely phrase it as an open competition for the starting spot with Aguilar being a favorite to beat out Merklinger for the starting job.
More From RTI: Highlights From Transfer Quarterback Joey Aguilar
An Antioch, California native completed 56% of his passes for 3,003 yards, 23 touchdowns and 14 interceptions. He’s also a decent runner, adding 207 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns during the 2024 season.
While his stats last season were pretty pedestrian, Aguilar’s stats were much better during the 2023 season. Aguilar completed 63.7% of his passes for 3,757 yards, 33 touchdowns and 10 interceptions during his first season at Appalachian State. He added 249 rushing yards and three rushing touchdowns.
Prior to his time at Appalachian State, Aguilar played two seasons at Diablo Valley Community College in California. He likely has just one year of eligibility remaining.
The Mountaineers posted a strong 9-5 (6-2 Sun Belt) record in Aguilar’s first season as starting quarterback, losing Troy in the Sun Belt Championship game and a Cure Bowl win over Ohio. After a strong 2023 season, Appalachian State struggled in 2024 posting just a 5-6 (3-5 Sun Belt) record and missing a bowl game.
