UCLA transfer quarterback Joey Aguilar has made it official.

He will be joining Tennessee football's quarterback room this fall.

This comes in the wake of Nico Iamaleava departing for the Bruins at the end of spring camp. Aguilar, an incoming Appalachian State transfer at UCLA, responded by reentering the portal and joining the Vols.

TALK ABOUT IT IN THE ROCKY TOP FORUM

While it has been widely reported that Aguilar would join Tennessee, he made it official on his Instagram on Tuesday afternoon.

"First, I want to thank God for guiding me through this journey and opening doors I could not have imagined," Aguilar wrote in the post. "I'm excited to announce that I'm officially committed to the University of Tennessee!

"This journey hasn't just been mine; it's been shared with everyone who has supported me - thank you.

"I'm looking forward to being a aprt of the traditions, the fans, and the legacy of winning at Tennessee. I'm ready to get to work, compete at the highest level and build something special with my teammates and coaches.

"I can't wait to get to Rocky Top! I'm ready to Give My All for Tennessee."

Aguilar, who began his career at the JUCO level at Diablo Valley Community College, spent the last two seasons at Appalachian State where he broke multiple school records. He transferred to UCLA this past offseason and went through spring practices there.

With Iamaleava's departure, the Vols were left with two scholarship quarterbacks in redshirt freshman Jake Merklinger and freshman George MacIntrye, a four-star prospect in Tennessee's 2025 signing class that arrived on campus in December.

Fifth-year Vols' head coach Josh Heupel said following Tennessee's spring game that the coaching staff would pursue an experienced quarterback in the transfer market. The result is Aguilar.

The California native passed for more than 6,700 yards, including 56 touchdowns and 24 interceptions in two seasons with the Mountaineers.

In Aguilar's first season at Appalachian State in 2023, he was tabbed the Sun Belt Newcomer of the Year after throwing for 3,757 yards 33 touchdowns and 10 interceptions, leading the Mountaineers to the Cure Bowl where he was named MVP.

Aguilar set single-season program records in passing yards (3757), touchdowns (33), total offense (4,002), 200-yard passing games (13 games), completions (293) and attempts (460) during that 2023 campaign.

Aguilar totaled 3,003 passing yards, 23 touchdowns and 14 interceptions last season.

With the addition of Aguilar, Tennessee has three scholarship quarterbacks on its roster and one with significantly more game experience having played in 41 games with 24 starts. Merklinger appeared in two games as a freshman last season.

Reports indicate that Aguilar had an impressive spring at UCLA under first-year offensive coordinator Tino Sunseri. He participated in spring practices even after reports that the school was in talks with Iamaleava.

Aguilar will have one season of eligibility remaining, due to the NCAA's recent waiver granting an additional season for junior college players.

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