FAN REACTION: Joey Aguilar Crowned the Star While Nico Iamaleava Gets Dragged as “Weak” and “Wack” Due To…

FAN REACTION: Joey Aguilar Crowned the Star While Nico Iamaleava Gets Dragged as “Weak” and “Wack” Due To Underwhelming Spring Showing and Locker Room Concerns

What began as a promising offseason for Tennessee football has taken a sharp turn, as fans have officially turned up the heat on quarterback Nico Iamaleava, labeling the former five-star phenom as “overhyped,” “weak,” and even “wack” across social media — while App State’s Joey Aguilar is suddenly being crowned the next big thing.

The unexpected shift in fan sentiment exploded following recent spring practices and scrimmage performances, where Iamaleava failed to live up to the hype, drawing criticism for his inconsistency, lack of command, and underwhelming leadership — all while Aguilar gained viral attention for his poise, deep ball accuracy, and calm presence under pressure.

What Sparked the Firestorm?

Tensions began simmering during Tennessee’s spring game, where Nico Iamaleava completed less than 50% of his passes, threw a red-zone interception, and appeared visibly frustrated on the sideline. Meanwhile, clips of Joey Aguilar dropping dimes and rallying his squad at App State’s spring camp began circulating, with fans and analysts praising his progression and toughness.

The comparison, while at first tongue-in-cheek, quickly turned into a full-on narrative shift. Volunteer fans, already growing anxious after a rocky recruiting weekend, unleashed their frustration online.

> “Nico looks like a 7v7 QB. Soft. Zero juice.” — One fan wrote on X.

“Aguilar would eat in the SEC. Nico? He needs a year on the bench.” — Another added.

“We were sold dreams with Nico. All that NIL for what?” — A reply that gained thousands of likes.

Locker Room Whispers Fuel the Fire

Adding more fuel to the backlash, rumors from inside the Tennessee program have surfaced, hinting that Iamaleava is struggling to command the locker room. According to sources, some veteran players are questioning his leadership style and body language during practice — with one anonymous teammate allegedly stating, “He’s got the talent, but not the fire.”

Meanwhile, Aguilar is being praised not just for his on-field work, but for becoming a gritty, no-nonsense leader in Boone. Coaches and players alike have referred to him as a “dog” — the kind of field general Tennessee fans are now wishing they had.

The Hype vs. Reality Debate

Nico Iamaleava came to Tennessee as the No. 1 ranked quarterback in his class, with a historic NIL valuation and expectations through the roof. Fans were led to believe he would be the savior of the program post-Hendon Hooker. But after sitting most of last season and now turning in a mediocre spring, the excitement is rapidly giving way to doubt.

> “He throws a pretty ball, but this isn’t 7-on-7. This is the SEC. We need a killer,” said one longtime Vols supporter.

Aguilar, on the other hand, has quietly built up a resume of production at Appalachian State, including 29 touchdowns and over 3,000 passing yards last season. While he plays in the Sun Belt, his toughness, command, and visible edge have fans wondering how he’d fare in a bigger spotlight — and wishing he were wearing orange.

Media and Analyst Reactions

College football media is starting to notice the shift in narrative. 247Sports’ Brandon Huffman tweeted:

> “Iamaleava still has all the tools, but his window is shrinking fast with fans. Meanwhile, Aguilar is gaining serious momentum as a legit Power 5 transfer target down the road.”

Even former players have weighed in. A former SEC quarterback, now an analyst, said on a podcast:

> “You watch Nico and think, ‘Wow, what potential.’ But then you see Aguilar and think, ‘That guy’s ready to win you games tomorrow.’ Big difference.”

What’s Next for Nico?

Tennessee’s coaching staff still backs Iamaleava publicly, but pressure is mounting. If his early-season performances don’t deliver in the fall, fans may turn on him entirely, especially given the massive expectations built around his recruitment and NIL profile.

Meanwhile, Joey Aguilar’s name continues to rise, not just among App State fans but across the national college football scene. Some insiders believe a portal move to a major program in 2026 could be in his future — with Tennessee fans already dreaming of a parallel universe where he was wearing the Power T.

Final Word

Nico Iamaleava may still be Tennessee’s golden boy — for now. But if he doesn’t flip the script soon, he risks becoming another cautionary tale of stars, money, and missed potential.

Meanwhile, Joey Aguilar is living proof that work ethic, toughness, and leadership can outshine hype — and for Vols fans looking for real grit, he’s qu

ickly becoming the symbol of what’s missing in Knoxville.