Tennessee Expected to Pursue Appalachian State QB Joey Aguilar Following Nico Iamaleava’s Departure: Report
Tennessee football is once again at a pivotal crossroads, and the search for a new starting quarterback could soon take center stage on Rocky Top. Following the unexpected departure of Nico Iamaleava—Tennessee’s rising star and projected 2025 starter—Josh Heupel and the Vols coaching staff are now reportedly eyeing Appalachian State’s Joey Aguilar as a potential target in the transfer portal.
The report, which surfaced earlier this week, comes amid growing speculation surrounding Tennessee’s quarterback room following Iamaleava’s decision to declare for the NFL Draft after just one full season as the starter. Iamaleava’s exit, while not entirely shocking given his pedigree and flashes of brilliance in 2024, leaves a significant void at the most important position on the field. Enter Joey Aguilar, one of the most experienced and productive signal-callers expected to be available in the transfer portal this offseason.
Aguilar, who started his collegiate career at Diablo Valley College before transferring to Appalachian State, has steadily built a reputation as one of the most efficient and dynamic quarterbacks in the Group of Five ranks. In 2024, he threw for over 3,400 yards and 31 touchdowns, leading the Mountaineers to a Sun Belt Championship appearance and earning second-team all-conference honors in the process. His poise, mobility, and arm strength have all drawn praise from analysts and scouts alike, and his potential fit in Josh Heupel’s up-tempo offense has sparked significant intrigue within the Tennessee fan base.
From a schematic standpoint, Aguilar’s skill set aligns well with what Tennessee wants to do offensively. Heupel’s system thrives on pace, spacing, and vertical explosiveness. Aguilar has shown an ability to process quickly, operate efficiently in spread formations, and deliver accurate throws at all levels of the field. His deep ball touch, in particular, could bring an exciting element back to the Volunteers’ passing game after an up-and-down aerial attack during Iamaleava’s sole season under center.
While Aguilar may not boast the same five-star recruiting pedigree that Iamaleava carried out of high school, his body of work at the collegiate level offers something Tennessee desperately needs in the post-Nico era: experience. With over two dozen starts and a proven track record against solid competition, Aguilar would bring maturity and leadership to a QB room that is currently light on both. Redshirt freshman Jake Merklinger is talented but unproven, and 2025 signee George MacIntyre, while highly regarded, is still a true freshman likely not ready to shoulder the full weight of SEC expectations in Year 1.
Adding Aguilar would give Tennessee much-needed depth, insurance, and potentially even a one-year bridge starter while the next wave of talent develops behind the scenes. Moreover, his transfer would be emblematic of a larger trend that has emerged across college football: programs increasingly turning to proven portal veterans rather than entrusting the offense to inexperienced arms, regardless of recruiting rankings.
However, Tennessee isn’t expected to be the only Power Five program interested in Aguilar’s services. Sources indicate that several schools across the ACC, Big 12, and even the SEC have already reached out to gauge his interest, with some offering the opportunity to compete for starting jobs immediately. What makes Tennessee’s pitch unique, however, is the clear vacancy at QB1 and the chance to lead a program with legitimate aspirations of contending in the new-look SEC.
There are also whispers that Tennessee’s NIL collective, The Volunteer Club, is preparing a competitive package to secure Aguilar’s commitment should he enter the portal in the coming days. With the spring transfer window now open, timing will be critical, and securing a quarterback early would allow the staff to solidify its offensive identity heading into summer workouts.
It’s worth noting that Aguilar’s interest in Tennessee is believed to be mutual. Sources close to the situation suggest that Aguilar has been quietly studying potential landing spots since the conclusion of Appalachian State’s season and has spoken positively about Tennessee’s offensive structure, player development under Heupel, and the program’s rabid fan support. He’s also reportedly open to playing in the SEC and sees it as an opportunity to prove himself against the best defenses in the country.
While nothing has been finalized, the buzz surrounding Aguilar’s potential arrival has already ignited debate among Tennessee fans and pundits alike. Some question whether bringing in a one-year rental disrupts the developmental arc of young quarterbacks like Merklinger and MacIntyre. Others argue that in a high-stakes environment like the SEC, winning now must always take precedence—and Aguilar offers the best chance to stay competitive in 2025 without a significant drop-off in production.
Then there’s the broader context of Tennessee’s ambitions under Josh Heupel. Since taking over the program, Heupel has steadily rebuilt the Volunteers into a top-15 mainstay, fueled by aggressive recruiting, fast-paced offensive innovation, and savvy portal acquisitions. While the loss of Iamaleava is undeniably a setback, landing Aguilar could help maintain momentum and provide a seamless transition into the post-Nico era.
Another factor working in Tennessee’s favor is the infrastructure in place around the quarterback position. The Vols return a veteran offensive line, a promising group of wideouts led by Bru McCoy and freshman phenom Mike Matthews, and a dynamic backfield tandem. For a quarterback like Aguilar, the appeal of joining a well-stocked offense with the freedom to air it out and make plays is hard to ignore.
The next several days will be telling. If Aguilar officially enters the portal, expect Tennessee to make a strong push—and potentially be among the first programs to host him on a visit. With spring practices wrapping up and depth charts taking shape nationwide, quarterback movement is about to intensify across the country, and Tennessee will need to act quickly if it wants to secure its preferred target.
For Aguilar, the decision will come down to fit, opportunity, and visibility. Playing in Knoxville would give him the chance to start in front of 100,000 fans at Neyland Stadium, compete for an SEC title, and boost his NFL Draft stock against elite defenses. For Tennessee, Aguilar represents a rare combination of readiness and upside that’s hard to find this late in the calendar year.
Of course, nothing in the transfer portal is ever certain. Even if Aguilar is Tennessee’s top target, the coaching staff will undoubtedly do its due diligence with other potential options as well. But early signs point toward Aguilar being at or near the top of the Vols’ wish list—and with good reason.
Losing a quarterback like Nico Iamaleava is never easy, but how a program responds in the aftermath often defines its long-term trajectory. Tennessee has an opportunity to make a savvy, stabilizing move that ensures continued competitiveness and keeps the program aligned with its championship aspirations. Joey Aguilar might not have been part of the plan six months ago, but in the ever-shifting landscape of modern college football, adaptability is everything.
As the college football world watches the quarterback carousel spin once more, Tennessee fans will be keeping a close eye on Aguilar’s next move—and whether that move might soon bring him to Rocky Top.
