Aguilar's Father Takes Jab at Iamaleava Following Quarterback Swap
The quarterback situation at the Tennessee Volunteers sparked considerable discussion during the college football offseason. After Nico Iamaleava transferred to the UCLA Bruins, Tennessee acquired graduate transfer Joey Aguilar from UCLA, leading to what some called a college football "trade." Aguilar's father, Jose, recently commented on the situation, subtly criticizing Iamaleava's performance.
The Quarterback "Trade"
The departure of Iamaleava stemmed from reported name, image, and likeness (NIL) disagreements with Tennessee. Aguilar seized the opportunity to join the Volunteers. This unusual swap became a talking point due to the circumstances surrounding both players' decisions.
Aguilar's Father Speaks Out
Speaking to On3's Pete Nakos, Jose Aguilar shared his thoughts on the quarterback exchange. "We don’t have any problems with Nico. If anything, it’s thank you," Aguilar's father stated. "I think it’s clear who won the trade. Look at the fans and the stats. Everything happens for a reason." His comments suggest a favorable view of his son's position at Tennessee and a less positive assessment of Iamaleava's situation at UCLA.
"We don’t have any problems with Nico. If anything, it’s thank you. I think it’s clear who won the trade. Look at the fans and the stats. Everything happens for a reason." - Jose Aguilar
Early Season Performance Comparison
Through the first two games of the 2025 season, Tennessee is ranked No. 15 in the AP Top 25 and holds a 2-0 record. Meanwhile, UCLA, despite significant preseason hype, is 0-2. Aguilar has completed 66.1% of his passes for 535 yards and five touchdowns without throwing any interceptions, contributing to Tennessee's strong start.
Iamaleava's Struggles at UCLA
Conversely, Iamaleava has encountered difficulties adjusting to UCLA's offense. He has completed 63.5% of his passes for 391 yards and two touchdowns but has thrown two interceptions. Under head coach DeShaun Foster, UCLA suffered losses to the Utah Utes and UNLV Rebels.
Initial Assessment
Although the season is still young, early indications suggest that Tennessee has benefitted more from the quarterback swap with UCLA. Joey Aguilar's impressive performance contrasts with Nico Iamaleava's struggles, potentially validating Jose Aguilar's comments about "winning the trade." Head Coach Josh Heupel and Joey Aguilar seem to have formed a strong partnership that is quickly benefiting the Tennessee Volunteers.