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Appalachian State transfer QB Joey Aguilar commits to UCLA

ns_headshot_2024-clearby:Nick Schultz•12/28/24•

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Joey Aguilar
USA Today Sports

Appalachian State transfer quarterback Joey Aguilar committed to UCLA, he announced on Saturday. He entered the transfer portal Dec. 24 after two impressive seasons with the Mountaineers.

Aguilar threw for more than 3,000 yards in both years at Appalachian State, and his 3,003 yards ranked as the highest total in the Sun Belt. That came after an impressive 2023 campaign in which he threw for 3,757 yards and 23 touchdowns in 14 games as the Mountaineers finished 9-5 and played in the Sun Belt Championship.

Before arriving at Appalachian State, Aguilar played two years at the JUCO level at Diablo Valley College. His decision to enter the portal came after the NCAA granted a waiver to former JUCO players with eligibility remaining in 2025, and that opened the door for him to play one more season.

To keep up with the latest players on the move, check out On3’s Transfer Portal wire. 

The On3 Transfer Portal Instagram account and X account are excellent resources to stay up to date with the latest moves.

Joey Aguilar is the No. 129 overall player to hit the open market so far this cycle, according to the On3 Industry Transfer Rankings. He is also the No. 12-ranked quarterback to enter the portal after the window opened Dec. 9.

Aguilar is among the list of former JUCO standouts to transfer following the NCAA’s decision. It stemmed from a lawsuit filed by Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia, which resulted in a preliminary injunction allowing him to play in 2025.

Judge William Campbell sided with Pavia, granting a preliminary injunction which paved the way for him to return to Vanderbilt in 2025. The timing of Campbell’s decision came more than a week after the transfer portal opened. Pavia cited the portal window in the suit, citing the need for time to negotiate NIL deals.

The NCAA then followed suit, granting a blanket waiver. Athletes who attended a non-NCAA school for at least one year and have eligibility left will be able to compete in 2025-26 as a result of the decision. That means players such as Pavia and Aguilar will be able to suit up, if they so choose. The NCAA is also appealing Campbell’s decision in the lawsuit, as expected.