Joey Aguilar’s name made waves across the college football landscape when he entered UCLA with big expectations—and made a surprising exit just months later. With a strong arm and proven production at the Group of Five level, Aguilar seemed poised to compete for the Bruins’ starting job. So what happened? Here’s everything you need to know about the quarterback who suddenly quit UCLA.

What is Joey Aguilar’s early life and high school football background?

Joey Aguilar grew up in Antioch, California, and attended Freedom High School, where he first made a name for himself as a talented signal-caller with natural throwing ability. Despite a solid prep career, he was lightly recruited and opted to take the JUCO route, enrolling at Diablo Valley Community College.

At Diablo Valley, Aguilar put up strong numbers and developed into a poised pocket passer with solid decision-making. His breakout there earned him a scholarship from Appalachian State. The move proved pivotal in his career, allowing him to face tougher competition and showcase his skills nationally. While academic details like his GPA and high school awards aren’t widely publicized, Aguilar stayed in excellent standing to earn his eligibility and eventually an extra year—granted due to his junior college background.

What have Joey Aguilar’s college football stats looked like so far?

At Appalachian State, Aguilar wore jersey No. 4 and quickly became a key figure in the offense. Over the duration of two seasons, he passed for 6,740 yards and 56 touchdowns, adding 583 rushing yards and 6 rushing scores to his credit. He became known for his deep-ball accuracy and his composure in the pocket.

“He’s got a quick release and he’s got a live arm,” former Appalachian State head coach Shawn Clark once said of Aguilar, praising the quarterback’s confidence and physical tools during the 2023 season. The very same year, he had his best moment when he threw for a career-high 424 yards and two touchdowns in a comeback win against East Carolina, a performance that earned him Sun Belt Offensive Player of the Week honors

That season, he threw 23 touchdowns to just 14 interceptions, finishing with a Total QBR of 65.7, which ranked 50th among all FBS quarterbacks. His consistency and production made him one of the top Group of Five quarterbacks in the country. What makes Aguilar unique is how quickly he adapted at every level. From JUCO to the Sun Belt to the Pac-12, he climbed the ranks with quiet consistency, not hype. He wasn’t a blue-chip recruit, but he kept winning jobs and earning respect.

What is Joey Aguilar’s current status at UCLA?

Aguilar transferred to UCLA in December 2024, entering with only one year of eligibility remaining. He cited the coaching staff and the opportunity to return closer to home as key reasons for choosing the Bruins. His transfer came during a quarterback shakeup, as Ethan Garbers and Justyn Martin both left the program.

Aguilar was initially expected to compete with former five-star recruit Nico Iamaleava, who transferred to UCLA from Tennessee amid a high-profile NIL dispute. However, that quarterback battle never truly took shape. Aguilar has since entered the transfer portal, officially leaving the Bruins before spring practices ramped up. Aguilar is exploring other opportunities and is reportedly drawing interest from programs like Tennessee, Tulane, and Wake Forest. He has one season of eligibility remaining.