UCLA quarterback Joey Aguilar is expected to transfer to Tennessee football, shaking up a position that had already undergone plenty of change since Nico Iamaleava’s departure.
And there’s about to be a stark contrast in UT’s quarterback room.
The Vols already have Jake Merklinger and George MacIntyre at quarterback. Aguilar did not get a Division I offer out of high school, but he developed into a record-breaking quarterback at Appalachian State before transferring to UCLA.
What will Tennessee coach Josh Heupel do with the revamped trio of quarterbacks? Here’s a look at the position for the 2025 season.
Jake Merklinger isn’t Joey Aguilar’s backup yet
Heupel always emphasizes that no starting position is promised to a recruit or transfer. Don’t expect that to change in this instance.
But UT isn’t bringing Aguilar across the country – and presumably paying him well in NIL money – to hold a clipboard on the sideline. He passed for 6,760 yards and 56 touchdowns in two seasons at Appalachian State.
That being said, Merklinger is a talented quarterback, and he has a 15-month head-start on Aguilar in Heupel’s offense. Assuming Merklinger doesn’t enter the transfer portal before it closes April 25, they could stage a preseason battle for the starting position.
Their competition will feature familiarity versus experience. But whoever gives the Vols the best chance to beat Syracuse on Aug. 30 in the season opener will start.
Tennessee quarterback future is unchanged
UT had a quarterback succession plan that Iamaleava derailed. But his exit and Aguilar’s arrival don’t have to change that beyond the 2025 season.
Merklinger, a former four-star recruit, will be a redshirt freshman in the 2025 season. At worst, he can serve as Aguilar’s backup, just as he would have for Iamaleava.
MacIntyre, another four-star…
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Publish date : 2025-04-22 00:28:00
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