Most analysts expected Tennessee to take a step back in 2025, but those expectations have dropped even further following the spring period. Of course, most of that is being driven by the departure of Nico Iamaleava.
Tennessee’s starting quarterback bolted to the transfer portal at the end of the spring, just 24 hours before the Orange and White Game. Josh Heupel was left scrambling with most top options already finding new homes in the winter. As things turned out, Tennessee and UCLA simply swapped quarterbacks, with Joey Aguilar landing in Knoxville.
The Appalachian State transfer will now battle true freshman George MacIntyre and redshirt freshman Jake Merklinger for the starting job this fall.