KNOXVILLE, TENNESSEE – SEPTEMBER 13: Joey Aguilar #6 of the Tennessee Volunteers reacts after scoring a touchdown in the first half against the Georgia Bulldogs during their game at Neyland Stadium on September 13, 2025 in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images)
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In the premiere matchup of Week 3 in College Football, Tennessee was a 46-yard-kick away from defeating Georgia for the first time since 2016.
Despite the eventual heartbreaking loss in overtime to keep the Bulldog’s streak alive, Volunteer quarterback Joey Aguilar shined in his SEC debut.
Aguilar’s massive afternoon came less than 24 hours after former Volunteer Nico Iamaleava fell to 0-3 with the UCLA Bruins.
Here is how Tennessee made the most of Iamaleava’s departure, and how their new quarterback could finally take them over the hump.
By Week 3 of last season, Iamaleava in his redshirt freshman season was making a claim for best quarterback in the SEC.
In three non-conference games, Iamaleava compiled 698 yards and 6 touchdowns, getting as much of a confidence boost as you could ask for ahead of conference play.
For the remainder of the regular season, his numbers paled in comparison. However, his 201.6 yards and 1.4 touchdowns was enough to go 10-2 and earn a playoff bid.
With an unfortunate seeding that had Tennessee face off against Ohio State in the first round, the Buckeyes rolled over the Volunteers on their way towards a National Championship. But the future of the program seemed promising behind Iamaleava.
That was until he decided to become a pioneer of the new Name Image and Likeness (NIL) college sports landscape, essentially holding out for more money from Tennessee.
These negotiations quickly transitioned to Iamaleava’s ticket out of town, transferring to UCLA for a greater payday.
According to ESPN, Iamaleava was going to make $2.4 million with the Vols this season, but was seeking $4 million for his sophomore year.
PASADENA, CALIFORNIA – SEPTEMBER 12: Nico Iamaleava #9 of the UCLA Bruins throws a pass during the first quarter against the New Mexico Lobos at Rose Bowl Stadium on September 12, 2025 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images)
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Once the move was official for Iamaleava, the transfer signing essentially acted as the college football equivalent of a trade.
Aguilar, a two-year starter at Appalachian State, was on his way to Los Angeles until the program signed Iamaleava.
This forced him to take the vacancy in Knoxville. In other words, a clean swap.
With Tennessee not having a need for a quarterback in the transfer portal, Head Coach Josh Heupel likely did not have much time to scout his new quarterback.
However, if he were to have the time, he would soon realize how strong of a fit Aguilar could be with the Volunteer weapons.
In two years with Appalachian State, Aguilar threw for back-to-back 3,000 yard seasons.
A true pocket passer that can be a physical runner when needing to scramble, Aguilar is not afraid to let it fly, with a Sun Belt-leading 14 interceptions last season.
Those 14 interceptions went alongside a league-leading 273 yards per game and 25 combined passing and rushing touchdowns.
These were the numbers that put Aguilar on the radar from Power Four programs, with UCLA seeming to be a perfect increase in difficulty over Appalachian State.
UCLA, who went 5-7 in 2024, were still getting their footing in the Big Ten.
Aguilar could have been the quarterback capable of bringing UCLA to a Bowl Game.
Bruins Head Coach Deshaun Foster could have used a .500 record in year two to show exponential growth as a program.
Which, for a brand, location, and program of boosters UCLA has, could have been the final piece in the Bruins becoming one of the top spending schools in college football.
Instead, UCLA capitalized on the messy situation in Knoxville, hoping the addition of Iamaleava could spark the program and bring eyes to Bruins football once again.
Instead, UCLA enters Week 4 without a win, and without a Head Coach.
After just 15 games at the helm, Foster has been relieved of his duties. The firing was justified by being outscored 108-43 in the first three games, but it could also be in efforts of keeping Iamaleava happy enough to stay with the program.
Regardless of which direction the program goes at Head Coach, or if Iamaleava will stay for his junior season, the fact that UCLA is already looking towards next year in Week 3 is troubling enough.
Instead, Aguilar is looking optimistically towards the remainder of this year’s schedule, after a lot of positives from his first SEC test.
KNOXVILLE, TENNESSEE – SEPTEMBER 13: Joey Aguilar #6 of the Tennessee Volunteers throws a pass against the Georgia Bulldogs at Neyland Stadium on September 13, 2025 in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
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In the loss to Georgia, Aguilar had a career day, throwing for 371 yards, 4 touchdowns to 2 interceptions, and rushing for a score.
This improves his season’s QB Rate of 173.5. In comparison, Iamaleava has just a 120.6.
The tests will continue for Aguilar, as Tennessee is set to face one of the most difficult schedules in the SEC.
If Tennessee is able to defeat one of the three remaining ranked opponents on the schedule, and takes care of business against the rest of their opponents, they will be bound for the postseason.
In a season where they unexpectedly lost their quarterback of the next two years, a playoff berth alone would be a success given the circumstances.
However, with Tennessee’s offense throughout the first three games, they could be a dangerous team come the playoffs.
From what seemed to be a worst case scenario for the Volunteers this summer, could now be a program-defining turn of events.
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