College Football

Tennessee, UCLA Swap Quarterbacks in Rare NIL-Fueled College Football Drama

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By
Colin Lynch
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Colin Lynch Sports Editor

Colin Lynch covers the NFL, MLB and WNBA for Heavy.com, with a focus on the New England Patriots. His sports coverage has been featured on The Sports Daily and Basketball Insiders, as well as FanSided's Chowder & Champions. A New Hampshire native and former D1 baseball player at St. John's University, Colin was drafted by the San Diego Padres in 2008 and enjoyed a four-year professional baseball career.

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Published22 Apr 2025

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Tennessee, UCLA Swap Quarterbacks in Rare NIL-Fueled College Football Drama

Tennessee and UCLA have seemingly swapped quarterbacks for the upcoming college football season, something we have rarely seen in college football. 

College football isn’t known for trades. But in an era reshaped by NIL deals and player empowerment, anything seems possible. On Monday, Tennessee and UCLA completed a stunning quarterback switch—one driven by high-stakes drama, financial disputes, and two programs looking to steady their ships.

Joey Aguilar, once expected to lead UCLA’s offense this fall, is now heading east. He’s set to become Tennessee’s new starting quarterback, just days after Nico Iamaleava abruptly left the Volunteers, citing unresolved issues with the school’s NIL collective. Aguilar’s quick pivot to Knoxville marks the end of a whirlwind chapter for both schools—and the beginning of another.

From Knoxville to Westwood: The Iamaleava Departure

The seeds of this quarterback carousel were planted weeks ago. Iamaleava, once seen as the face of Tennessee football, was a rising star. His 2,616 passing yards, 19 touchdowns, and College Football Playoff appearance made him a fan favorite. However, beneath the surface, tensions were brewing.

An alleged dispute over NIL compensation—reportedly centered around his $2.4 million deal—led Iamaleava to skip team activities just before Tennessee’s spring game. The fallout was swift.

“There’s no one that’s bigger than the Power T,” head coach Josh Heupel said, drawing a line in the sand. “And that includes me.”

With those words, Tennessee turned the page. Iamaleava soon announced his transfer to UCLA, bringing with him not just his talent, but also his younger brother Madden, a four-star freshman who had flipped from the Bruins to Arkansas before rejoining his sibling in Southern California.

Aguilar’s Unexpected Journey to Tennessee

As the dust settled in Los Angeles, Joey Aguilar found himself at a crossroads. The former Appalachian State quarterback, who had thrown for over 3,000 yards in each of the past two seasons, had just arrived at UCLA with high hopes. But Iamaleava’s sudden arrival shifted the dynamic.

On Monday morning, Aguilar declared his intent to re-enter the transfer portal. By the afternoon, he had his next stop: Tennessee.

Aguilar’s move is as much about opportunity as it is about timing. With one year of eligibility left, he now inherits a Volunteers team eager for stability. His experience, leadership, and gritty play style offer a stark contrast to the whirlwind that just swept through Knoxville.

Though Aguilar is expected to earn significantly less than Iamaleava—reports suggest over $1 million less—he steps into a starting role with far less baggage. The focus now shifts back to football.

A New Chapter for Both Programs

Tennessee’s quarterback saga may have closed one dramatic chapter, but Heupel’s program is already moving forward. Aguilar provides immediate relief and a seasoned presence under center.

Meanwhile, UCLA’s quarterback room, crowded and complicated, gets its new star in Iamaleava, whose NIL value, while slightly reduced, still reflects his stature as a high-profile transfer.

In an age where college football mirrors the business-like nature of the pros, this rare quarterback swap serves as a vivid reminder: loyalty and stability are fleeting, and opportunity can shift in an instant. But for now, both Tennessee and UCLA have found their answers—at least until the next twist comes.