Former UCLA Bruins QB Joey Aguilar on his visit to UCLA prior to announcing his transfer decision.
ON SI
SI.COM
SI SWIMSUIT
SI TICKETS
SI RESORTS
Volunteer Country
How Joey Aguilar’s Tennessee Football Decision Benefits Faizon Brandon
Tennessee needed a transfer portal QB, and the decision was wise. They added a guy who allows everyone in the QB room, and QB commit Faizon Brandon to benefit.
Caleb Sisk | Apr 22, 2025
Former UCLA Bruins QB Joey Aguilar on his visit to UCLA prior to announcing his transfer decision.
Former UCLA Bruins QB Joey Aguilar on his visit to UCLA prior to announcing his transfer decision. / Joey Aguilar
In this story:
Tennessee Volunteers
Tennessee needed a transfer portal QB, and the decision was wise. They added a guy who allows everyone in the QB room, and QB commit Faizon Brandon to benefit.
The Tennessee Volunteers were in need of a transfer portal QB this Spring as former starting QB Nico Iamaleava decided he would be transferring out of Knoxville. His destination was later announced to be UCLA, which ultimately led Joey Aguilar to make the decision to enter the transfer portal himself.
Aguilar is a former Appalachian State starter for two seasons. He entered the transfer portal in the Winter and made the decision to join UCLA, just to enter the portal, and reports circulated that he would be joining the Tennessee Volunteers hours after entering.
Although adding another QB can change the now for the other QBs, it also benefits them in a different way.
Breaking: Joey Aguilar has committed to Tennessee. Per @ClowESPN
The former App State QB signed with the UCLA Bruins and entered the portal after Nico Iamaleava committed. pic.twitter.com/AyoDr3O8F0
— Caleb Sisk (@CalebSisk_) April 21, 2025
Adding the UCLA transfer helps George MacIntyre, because now the Vols can likely go with their original plan of redshirting him. He was likely going to have to play this season, but adding a guy can help calm the situation, as they can trust in Jake Merklinger and Aguilar as long as they remain healthy this upcoming season.
The decision helps Merklinger in its own way, because it gives Merklinger more time to learn the system and get valuable reps, as he was the third-string guy last season. That is a big jump for the Vols QB as his role will be bigger, but not a massive jump at least initially.
This decision also helps keep a good standing with QB commit Faizon Brandon. Brandon is the No. 1 QB in the class of 2025 and has plenty of potential to compete for the starting job next season. Brandon never shared his opinion on adding a veteran or younger guy, but adding a veteran allows him to have more of a chance to make an impact earlier in his career than if they added a younger option.
This will be a one-and-done season as Aguilar only has one year of eligibility and will look to make his final college season count, but this time in the Orange and White under the bright Neyland Stadium lights.
Follow Our Social Media Pages:
• Follow Tennessee on SI on Twitter: @VolsOnSI
• Follow Tennessee on SI on Facebook: @VOLS on SI
Follow Our Staff:
Follow Caleb Sisk On Twitter: @CalebSisk_
Follow Tanner Johnson On Twitter: @JohnsonTanner23_
Follow Jonathan Williams On Twitter: @DR_JWill
Follow Evan Crowell On Twitter: @evanvcrowell
Follow Brooks Austin On Twitter: @BrooksAustinBA
Follow Josh Greer On Twitter: @JSGreer731
Follow Our Website
Make sure to follow our website Tennessee on SI.
OTHER TENNESSEE NEWS
REPORT: Transfer Price for Nico Iamaleava Rapidly Dropping
What We Learned About the Tennessee Volunteers During Spring Practice
NCAA Transfer Portal Needs that Must Be Addressed by Tennessee Football
North Carolina Football Reportedly “Out of the Mix” for Tennessee’s Nico Iamaleava
Tennessee Football 2026 Target G’nivre Carr Recaps Tennessee Spring Game Visit
Who’s Next for Tennessee Football at Quarterback?
Tennessee Football Linebacker Target Brayden Rouse Recaps Tennessee Spring Visit
Tennessee’s Elijah Simmons Labeled One of the Biggest Sleepers for 2025 NFL Draft
Where Will Nico Iamaleava Transfer – Options For Vols Transfer QB Limited
Latest NCAA Baseball Rankings: Tennessee Volunteers Rise Up a Spot
Former Tennessee Quarterback Comments on Nico Iamaleava Transferring
Tennessee Players Threatened to Sit Out of Playoff Game Over NIL, Including Iamaleava
Published Apr 22, 2025
Caleb Sisk
CALEB SISK
Home
/
Football
FanNation
Privacy Policy
Cookie Policy
Takedown Policy
Terms and Conditions
SI Accessibility Statement
Cookie Settings
© 2025 ABG-SI LLC – SPORTS ILLUSTRATED IS A REGISTERED TRADEMARK OF ABG-SI LLC. – All Rights Reserved. The content on this site is for entertainment and educational purposes only. Betting and gambling content is intended for individuals 21+ and is based on individual commentators’ opinions and not that of Sports Illustrated or its affiliates, licensees and related brands. All picks and predictions are suggestions only and not a guarantee of success or profit. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 1-800-GAMBLER.