“His household is saying, ‘it’s not concerning the cash,'” Fox Sports activities’ Colin Cowherd mentioned Thursday on The Herd. “Tennessee is saying, ‘eye roll, give me a break.’”
Whether or not that’s the reason or not is as much as private discretion. Realistically, Iamaleava might be an improve at quarterback for UCLA, and doubtless this system’s most suitable choice since Dorian Thompson-Robinson graduated in 2022.
“He is a really gifted participant,” Cowherd mentioned. “He’ll be a primary spherical, second spherical prospect. Lengthy, tall, good arm.”
He joins a Bruins group that’s coming off their first shedding season because the COVID-affected 2020 season.
They employed offensive coordinator Tino Suneri, who helped lead Indiana to a CFP berth in 2024, and returned key items in receivers Rico Flores Jr. and Kwazi Gilmer.
UCLA did not simply get a quarterback that can assist it compete this season, however now has choices for the longer term. Nico Iamaleava’s arrival attracted his youthful brother, Madden, to UCLA. The youthful Iamaleava was the Twentieth-ranked quarterback prospect within the 2025 class, per 247sports’ rankings. He’ll have the chance to show that he can succeed his brother after he graduates.
Tennessee, alternatively, was left to piece issues collectively. In an announcement to the Athletic, Tennessee’s athletic director, Phillip Fulmer, mentioned he was pleased with the stand the college took. They saved cash and now have a serviceable quarterback possibility. That’s, as soon as Aguilar’s dedication turns into official.
Aguilar threw for six,760 yards throughout two seasons as a starter at Appalachian State. He threw for 33 touchdowns and 10 interceptions as a junior, however his numbers dipped this previous season to a 23:14 ratio. He did, nevertheless, lead the Solar Belt convention in passing yards per recreation with 273.
He’ll be part of a Volunteers program coming off its second double-digit-win season within the final three years, and their first journey to the CFP, qualifying because the 7-seed within the first yr of the 12-team format.
Tennessee will enter the season with uncertainty at a very powerful place in soccer. However, this system prides itself on the stand it took in opposition to the craziness of the school soccer switch portal. A stand that incited a wonky pseudo-trade between the Volunteers and the UCLA Bruins, that positively will not be the final of its form.
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