Tennessee entered the 2024 season with sky-high expectations. The Vols made it to the College Football Playoff, walked into Columbus with swagger, and left with a harsh reality check—getting blown out 42-17 by Ohio State. Sure, the Buckeyes went on to win it all, but the loss still stung. Now, in spring 2025, the program is in transition. Star quarterback Nico Iamaleava is gone, and Joey Aguilar has been handed the keys to the offense.
Nico’s departure wasn’t quiet. Reports say he requested a massive increase in his NIL deal—from $2 million to even more. Tennessee, standing by their program philosophy of “no one’s bigger than the T,” declined. Nico skipped practice the next day, missed team meetings, and entered the transfer portal by that evening. He’s now at UCLA. Ironically, UCLA lost three QBs this offseason—including Joey Aguilar, who transferred to Tennessee without playing a snap for the Bruins.
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Aguilar, who starred at Appalachian State, threw 56 touchdowns and over 6,700 yards in two years. Solid numbers—but this is the SEC now, not the Sun Belt. He’ll be tested early, with games against Syracuse and Georgia in the first three weeks. According to Tennessee insider Cousin Shane on the Paul Finebaum Show, the Vols have moved on. “We don’t talk about Nico anymore. It’s the Aguilar situation now.”
Coach Josh Heupel echoed that on a Nashville radio appearance, saying the focus is now on building with players who are “accountable, connected, and built to win.” He made it clear: Nico made his choice, and the Vols have already turned the page.
Despite the shakeup, Tennessee’s 2025 outlook isn’t bleak. With a relatively easy schedule (24th in strength nationally), and talent on both sides of the ball, Heupel’s team could still pull off another 10-win season. Cousin Shane pegged the ceiling at 10 wins, the floor at 8. While Joey Aguilar may not bring the star power of his predecessor, he doesn’t need to. If he plays smart, limits mistakes, and leans on the team’s run game, the Vols could stay right in the thick of SEC contention.
The message from Knoxville is clear: Tennessee isn’t rebuilding—they’re reloading. And with Aguilar leading the way, they’re out to prove they’re still a force, with or without Nico.