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Nico Iamaleava, Joey Aguilar ranked as most impactful transfers of spring portal window

IMG_3593by: Grant Ramey05/07/25GrantRamey
QB Joey Aguilar
Reinhold Matay | Imagn Images

The quarterback trade between Tennessee and UCLA will produce the two most impactful spring transfers in college football next season. That’s how On3’s Pete Nakos ranked the 10 most impactful transfers during the spring portal window. 

Nico Iamaleava topped the list ahead of Joey Aguilar. 

Others in the ranking, in order, were Texas Tech edge David Bailey, LSU defensive lineman Bernard Gooden, Texas defensive lineman Maraad Watson, Miami wide receiver Keelan Marion, Penn State wide receiver Trebor Pena, Oklahoma running back Jaydn Ott, Ohio State edge Beau Atkinson and Georgia linebacker Elo Modozie. 

Vols parted ways with Nico Iamaleava on April 12

Iamaleava committed to UCLA on April 20 after a public breakup with Tennessee.

“Nico Iamaleava skipped practice the day before Tennessee’s spring game,” Nakos wrote, “not communicating with the staff and eventually leaving Knoxville for UCLA. The day of the Volunteers’ spring game, head coach Josh Heupel announced the program was moving on from Iamaleava.”

UCLA was immediately identified as a potential landing spot for Iamaleava, the Long Beach, Calif., native. 

“Iamaleava threw for 2,616 yards and 19 touchdowns last season,” Nakos wrote, “throwing only five interceptions while rushing for 358 yards and three more scores. He started every game for the Volunteers in 2024, leading them to their first berth in the College Football Playoff. Now he will try to resurrect a UCLA program that has not won 10 games since 2014.”

Joey Aguilar entered transfer portal after UCLA added Nico Iamaleava

Aguilar has transferred to UCLA after two season at Appalachian State, where he threw for 6,760 yards, 56 touchdowns and 24 interceptions in 25 career games. 

He reentered the portal once UCLA added Iamaleava. 

“Entering April,” Nakos wrote, “the thought of Joey Aguilar leaving UCLA seemed impossible. The Appalachian State transfer had built a close relationship with offensive coordinator Tino Sunseri. But with Nico Iamaleava’s decision to leave Tennessee and head back home, DeShaun Foster jumped on the chance to bring in the former five-star recruit. 

“Aguilar was given the chance to stay and compete, but he ultimately decided to hit the transfer portal and switch spots with Iamaleava, landing in Knoxville.”

At Tennessee, Aguilar joins a quarterback depth chart that includes redshirt freshman Jake Merklinger and freshman George MacIntyre. 

“He’s expected to compete for the starting job,” Nakos wrote. “A veteran quarterback, Joey Aguilar set single-season school records in passing yards (3,757), passing touchdowns (33) and total offense (4,002) at Appalachian State in 2023. He was named the Sun Belt Newcomer of the Year.”

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