After Tennessee quarterback Nico Iamaleava announced his decision to leave for UCLA, it was reported that Joey Aguilar, who joined the Bruins through the winter portal, would be heading to Knoxville to join the Volunteers. Iamaleava’s departure from Tennessee was due to a reported rift over NIL negotiations. He was seeking a deal worth $4 million for the next season, inspired by other quarterbacks receiving lucrative deals after transferring. His father denied the claims that Nico was pushing for more NIL money before the season. Meanwhile, Aguilar had played at Appalachian State last season and made the move to Tennessee earlier in the offseason.
The drama surrounding Iamaleava’s NIL negotiations with Tennessee sent shockwaves through college football, as he became the first college player to hold out from a program for a bigger payout. His deal was reportedly worth up to $10 million over multiple seasons, with $2.4 million set for the upcoming season. Iamaleava’s decision to leave Tennessee was influenced by the desire for a larger NIL deal and the chance to set himself up as a first-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. Aguilar, on the other hand, has one more year of eligibility and has thrown for 6,760 yards and 56 touchdowns in his last two seasons, making him a valuable addition to the Volunteers.
Despite Iamaleava’s departure, Tennessee had a successful season last year, earning a College Football Playoff spot. However, their national title hopes were dashed after falling to Ohio State. Iamaleava played a significant role in the team’s success, throwing for 2,616 yards and 19 touchdowns. With his departure, Tennessee will be looking to Aguilar to fill the void left by Iamaleava and lead the team to continued success. Aguilar’s experience and talent make him a promising addition to the Volunteers as they look ahead to the upcoming season.
The quarterback “trade” between Nico Iamaleava and Joey Aguilar highlights the complexities of college football and the growing importance of NIL negotiations for players. Both players made decisions that they felt were in their best interests, with Iamaleava seeking a lucrative deal and Aguilar making a move to a new program for additional opportunities. Their moves reflect the changing landscape of college athletics and the impact that NIL deals can have on player decisions and team dynamics. As the college football landscape continues to evolve, it is likely that more players will follow in Iamaleava and Aguilar’s footsteps in pursuit of better opportunities and financial compensation.
The high-stakes negotiations surrounding Nico Iamaleava’s departure from Tennessee and Joey Aguilar’s move to the Volunteers shed light on the increasing influence of players in college football. As more players seek to maximize their earning potential through NIL deals, teams will need to adapt to changing player demands and expectations. The quarterback “trade” between Iamaleava and Aguilar serves as a reminder of the power that players hold in shaping their own futures and the impact that their decisions can have on the college football landscape. Going forward, it will be interesting to see how teams navigate the evolving dynamics of college athletics and respond to the changing priorities of student-athletes like Iamaleava and Aguilar.
