Vols Name Starting Quarterback Ahead Of Season Opener
Image: Tennessee Athletics
By Aidan Sidoti
Tennessee has officially named their Nico Iamaleava successor.
As first reported on-air by Fox Sports Knoxville’s William Patteson, On3 Sports’ Pete Nakos has confirmed that UCLA and App State transfer quarterback Joey Aguilar is anticipating being the starter Aug. 30 when the Volunteers take on Syracuse in Atlanta.
Aguilar, who transferred to UCLA from Appalachian State in the spring, made the move to Tennessee shortly after Nico Iamaleava left Knoxville for UCLA amid reported NIL disputes.
As a fourth year senior at App State in 2024, Aguilar started all eleven games for the Mountaineers, throwing for just over 3,000 yards and 23 touchdowns, while adding 207 rushing yards and two scores on the ground.
Head coach Josh Heupel praised Aguilar’s leadership to reporters at SEC Media Days last month, underscoring the QB’s immediate impact on team chemistry.
“The first week he was here with all our guys, he took the offensive linemen out to dinner,” Heupel said. “He has an ability to connect with our guys as a veteran guy. He has developed relationships and earned the trust of those guys.”
Aguilar’s first test will be against a Syracuse squad that ranked among ACC’s best in secondary play last season.
Kickoff against Syracuse is set for noon ET on ABC.
