Report: Joey Aguilar expected to be paid 'seven figures less' than Nico Iamaleva NIL deal at Tennessee

Tennessee‘s NIL deal with new quarterback Joey Aguilar is expected to be significantly cheaper than its previously existing deal with departing quarterback Nico Iamaleava, according to a report from Yahoo! Sports. As much as seven figures cheaper.

Ross Dellenger of Yahoo! Sports noted that, if finalized, the deal “is expected to pay him significantly less (7 figures less) than Nico Iamaleava’s scheduled $2.4 million compensation.” That obviously still leaves a wide range of potential compensation for the former Appalachian State gunslinger.

Additionally, Dellenger noted that Iamaleava’s new deal at UCLA is not expected to match his Tennessee package. The swap of quarterbacks, though, has certainly made for an interesting day in the sport.

Within hours, Joey Aguilar’s decision was finalized. He planned to enter the transfer portal this morning, On3’s Pete Nakos learned. The news came just days after the Bruins announced the addition of Iamaleava.

Aguilar transferred into UCLA from Appalachian State this spring. He was highly productive for the Mountaineers.

Joey Aguilar threw for more than 3,000 yards in both years at Appalachian State, and his 3,003 yards ranked as the highest total in the Sun Belt. That came after an impressive 2023 campaign in which he threw for 3,757 yards and 23 touchdowns in 14 games as the Mountaineers finished 9-5 and played in the Sun Belt Championship.

Before arriving at Appalachian State, Joey Aguilar played two years at the JUCO level at Diablo Valley College. His decision to enter the portal came after the NCAA granted a waiver to former JUCO players with eligibility remaining in 2025, and that opened the door for him to play one more season.

UCLA lands transfer from Nico Iamaleava

On Sunday, former Tennessee quarterback Nico Iamaleava announced he is transferring to UCLA. The transfer QB released a statement reflecting on the process on Instagram.

“First and foremost, I want to thank my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, for His grace, for continuing to bless my family, and for allowing me to live out my passion each and every day,” Iamaleava wrote. “To the amazing people in Knoxville, thank you for embracing and uplifting me throughout my time there.

“I’ll be forever thankful for the support you showed me every step of the way and I’ll always cherish the relationships I built there and the memories I created with my brothers. I believe with all my heart that I gave my all as a Volunteer. I’m truly grateful for the time I had at UT.

“My journey at UT has come to an end. This decision was incredibly difficult, and truthfully, not something I expected to make this soon. But I trust God’s timing, and I believe He’s leading me where I need to be. Even though, this chapter is ending, a new chapter has begun and I am committed to UCLA!”

Tennessee and Iamaleava mutually parted ways on April 12, after they failed to agree on a restructured NIL deal for Iamaleava. The redshirt sophomore QB reportedly was seeking a $4 million a year NIL deal, a significant upgrade from his alleged pre-existing $2.4 million deal.

Nico Iamaleava’s commitment is a massive addition for UCLA. As a redshirt freshman last season, Iamaleava was Tennessee’s full-time starter. He finished the year with 2,616 passing yards and 19 touchdowns while throwing five interceptions. He also recorded 358 yards and three scores in the ground game.

On3’s Nick Schultz and Grant Grubbs contributed to this report.