The UCLA Bruins football program received a major boost on Saturday night as former Appalachian State quarterback Joey Aguilar announced his commitment to transfer to UCLA for his final season of collegiate eligibility. The decorated signal-caller from Northern California made his decision just days after entering the transfer portal, marking a triumphant homecoming for the accomplished passer.
Aguilar, a native of Antioch, California, spent the past two seasons lighting up the stat sheets in Boone, North Carolina for the Mountaineers. Over that span, the strong-armed QB amassed a stellar 6,760 passing yards and 56 touchdowns, establishing himself as one of the most prolific Group of Five quarterbacks in the nation.
Waiver Grants Aguilar Additional Year
The talented passer’s path back to the West Coast was paved by a fortuitous NCAA ruling last week. The association issued a waiver granting an extra year of eligibility to athletes who previously “competed at a non-NCAA school for one or more years” prior to exhausting their eligibility at the conclusion of the 2024-25 academic year.
For Aguilar, who spent two seasons at Diablo Valley Community College before his breakout tenure at App State, this development opened the door for one final ride at the FBS level. The QB expressed his gratitude for the NCAA’s decision:
“I am truly blessed by the NCAA’s ruling. To have this unexpected opportunity to compete one more year, playing the game I love in front of my family and friends, it’s just incredible.”
– Joey Aguilar
Instant Impact for Struggling Bruins Offense
Aguilar’s arrival in Westwood comes at a critical juncture for the Bruins, who sputtered to a disappointing 5-7 record in 2024, their first losing campaign since 2018. Inconsistent quarterback play plagued UCLA throughout the fall, with senior Ethan Garbers managing just 16 touchdowns against 11 interceptions.
The Mountaineers’ gunslinger seems poised to provide an immediate infusion of playmaking ability and veteran leadership for a Bruins attack that ranked in the bottom half of the Pac-12 in both yards and points per game a season ago. Aguilar pointed to his strong relationship with the UCLA staff as a key factor in his decision:
“I chose UCLA because of my belief in Coach DeShaun Foster and Coach Tino Sunseri. These are true competitors who I know can elevate my game to the next level. I’m fired up to get to work and help turn this program around.”
– Joey Aguilar
Mountaineers’ Loss is Bruins’ Gain
While the Bruins faithful are undoubtedly enthused by Aguilar’s cross-country transfer, the move comes as a devastating blow to an App State program already in flux. The Mountaineers stumbled to a 5-6 record in 2024, leading to the dismissal of head coach Shawn Clark after three seasons at the helm.
Aguilar’s dynamic dual-threat abilities and unquestioned leadership had been viewed as foundational pieces for the Mountaineers to build around as they transitioned to a new coaching regime. Instead, App State must now launch an unexpected search for a new field general in Boone.
A New Chapter in Westwood
As for Aguilar, the 2025 season presents a tantalizing chance for a storybook final act just a short drive from where his football journey began. The former Antioch High School standout will suit up in the familiar surroundings of the Rose Bowl, eager to recapture the record-setting form that made him a revered figure in the High Country.
Should the strong-armed signal-caller reestablish that mountain magic under the bright lights of the Pac-12, Aguilar may just spark the Bruins’ resurgence in the City of Angels. For UCLA fans starved for a return to gridiron glory, that Hollywood ending is now suddenly within reach thanks to an unexpected gift from the transfer portal.
