Let’s dive into a little tale about Joey Aguilar—it’s got more twists and turns than a quarterback bootleg.
Here’s the quick rundown: Joey was all set to take the reins at UCLA. He was their starting quarterback for the 2025 college season—at least, that was the plan. Enter Nico Iamaleava, and suddenly Joey’s plans hit a rough patch.
To start, Joey’s journey is your classic up-and-comer story. From being unranked in high school to grinding it out at Diablo Valley College in JUCO ball, Joey earned his stripes. Fast forward a bit, he transfers to Appalachian State and starts lighting it up—3,700 yards and 33 touchdowns in 2023. That’s the kind of stat sheet that gets you noticed.
So, Joey steps up to UCLA, and they roll out a sweet NIL deal worth at least $1 million. But then, the UCLA staff’s plans changed faster than a blitz adjustment. Tennessee let Nico Iamaleava go, and UCLA grabbed him like he was the last good slice of pizza at a party. Joey went from QB1 to potentially warming the bench, and that’s just not his style. Now, he’s jumping back into the transfer portal like an athlete diving for a loose ball.
Football
Want to Learn More About Transferring?
Checkout our Guide to the Football Transfer Portal
But here’s the juicy part—NIL money. Does UCLA have to pay Joey the full mil even though things didn’t pan out? It’s a big “maybe.” Most NIL agreements? Locked up tighter than the secrets of Belichick’s playbook. No one’s spilling contract details. So Joey might just leave UCLA with his bank account sitting solid thanks to NIL, after less than half a year in sunny LA.
Now the spotlight’s back on him. Schools like Tennessee and Tulane are eyeing him like he’s the next big free-agent QB. He might even score not one, but two NIL deals this year—one from UCLA and another from whoever picks him next. Double-dipping! No wonder Joey’s still got a pep in his step.
Lesson here? In college football, and especially in the NIL era, it’s a business. Moves and money talk loud. But hey, for Joey, it might just end with a richer opportunity elsewhere. So, here’s to hoping that wherever he lands, the pocket’s firm, the throws are sharp, and the deals are even sharper.
