Joey Aguilar Arrives at Tennessee, Ready to Compete for Starting Quarterback Job in Vols’ 2025 Campaign

In the constantly evolving landscape of college football, few off-season moves have generated as much intrigue as Joey Aguilar’s arrival at the University of Tennessee. The veteran quarterback, who made a name for himself at Appalachian State before a brief stint at UCLA, is now donning orange and white as he competes for the coveted starting role under center for the Volunteers’ 2025 campaign. With a powerful arm, dual-threat capabilities, and a gritty underdog backstory, Aguilar’s transfer has the potential to reshape Tennessee’s quarterback room and spark a new era of offensive production on Rocky Top.

As head coach Josh Heupel and his staff prepare for a pivotal season in the ultra-competitive SEC, all eyes are now on the quarterback competition. With rising talents Jake Merklinger and George MacIntyre also in the mix, Aguilar’s arrival adds experience, maturity, and depth at the most critical position on the field.

This article explores Aguilar’s path to Tennessee, his playing style, what he brings to the program, and how he fits into the Volunteers’ broader ambitions in 2025.

From Community College to National Spotlight

Joey Aguilar’s football journey has been anything but traditional. His rise began in the junior college ranks at Diablo Valley College in California. There, Aguilar quietly built a reputation as a strong-armed quarterback with leadership qualities that coaches raved about. Despite lacking the media attention often reserved for high school blue chips, Aguilar’s talent was undeniable. In two seasons, he threw for over 3,000 yards and 27 touchdowns, catching the eye of several Group of Five programs.

Ultimately, he committed to Appalachian State in 2022. His first season in Boone, North Carolina, turned heads: he threw for 3,200 yards and 26 touchdowns, leading the Mountaineers to a Sun Belt Championship appearance. His blend of composure, field vision, and scrambling ability earned him the Sun Belt Newcomer of the Year honor. He followed that campaign with an even stronger performance in 2023, finishing with 3,560 passing yards and 30 touchdowns, including a stellar Cure Bowl win in which he was named MVP.

Aguilar’s growth at App State proved he could excel under pressure. But with one year of eligibility remaining and a desire to showcase his skills on a larger stage, he entered the transfer portal in December 2024, seeking a Power Five opportunity.

The UCLA Detour and Sudden Exit

Aguilar’s initial destination was UCLA, where he committed in early January 2025. The move made sense. He was returning to his home state of California, joining a program in transition, and expected to be the front-runner for the starting job in Westwood. His spring workouts at UCLA were promising, and reports from practice were optimistic.

However, college football’s chaos doesn’t rest. In an unforeseen twist, Tennessee’s former five-star quarterback Nico Iamaleava entered the transfer portal in April 2025 after internal coaching staff disagreements. Within days, Iamaleava had committed to UCLA, instantly changing the pecking order in Los Angeles.

Suddenly, Aguilar was the odd man out again.

Rather than sit behind another high-profile quarterback, Aguilar quickly re-entered the portal. In less than 72 hours, he committed to Tennessee, ironically swapping places with Iamaleava. Reports indicate that Aguilar’s decision was influenced by an attractive NIL package worth over $1.2 million, along with assurances that he would have a legitimate shot to win the starting job in Knoxville.

Vols’ Quarterback Room: A New Dynamic

Aguilar’s arrival at Tennessee instantly injected experience and competition into a quarterback room that was trending young.

Redshirt freshman Jake Merklinger, a four-star recruit from Georgia, had been groomed as the potential successor to Iamaleava. He showed flashes in spring ball, demonstrating a quick release and solid command of the offense. Meanwhile, true freshman George MacIntyre—the nation’s No. 2 quarterback recruit in the 2025 class—had arrived on campus with sky-high expectations and raw, tantalizing talent.

Still, neither had started a college football game.

Enter Aguilar: a seasoned, battle-tested quarterback with over 20 career starts and more than 6,700 passing yards. For Tennessee, it’s the ideal blend. Head coach Josh Heupel now has a quarterback room with balance—veteran presence, developmental prospects, and serious competition that could elevate everyone’s performance.

“Joey’s maturity and experience give us a great opportunity to solidify that position,” Heupel said during his post-spring press conference. “He’s been through the wars. He knows what it takes to lead a team, and we’re excited to see what he can do with our system.”

Offensive Fit and Playing Style

Tennessee’s up-tempo, vertical offense is built to push the ball downfield and stress opposing defenses with pace. It’s a system that thrives when it has a quarterback who can process quickly, throw accurately on the run, and make smart decisions in the RPO game.

Aguilar checks a lot of those boxes.

At Appalachian State, he operated in a multiple-look offense that required him to read defenses pre-snap and adjust protections at the line. His tape shows a quarterback who’s comfortable in the pocket but also capable of extending plays with his legs. In 2023, he rushed for over 200 yards and added two touchdowns on the ground—not eye-popping numbers, but enough to keep defenses honest.

What stands out most, though, is Aguilar’s poise. He rarely panics under pressure and has shown an ability to lead game-winning drives in hostile environments.

“Joey brings a calming presence,” said former Appalachian State offensive coordinator Kevin Barbay. “He’s not flashy, but he’s efficient. He knows how to lead and how to win.”

Those traits should translate well to Heupel’s system, especially as Tennessee looks to rebound from an 8–5 campaign in 2024 that included inconsistent quarterback play and offensive rhythm.

Challenges Ahead

Despite Aguilar’s experience, the path to becoming Tennessee’s starter is far from guaranteed.

Jake Merklinger has the benefit of a full year in Heupel’s system. He’s a natural fit for the Vols’ tempo-based offense and impressed coaches with his command during spring practices. MacIntyre, though raw, is a potential star. He’s already shown glimpses of elite arm strength and mobility, and the fanbase is buzzing about his long-term ceiling.

Aguilar, meanwhile, will have to learn the offense quickly this summer. He’ll need to build chemistry with wide receivers like Bru McCoy, Squirrel White, and incoming freshman phenom KeAndre Jones. He’ll also have to adjust to SEC speed, which is a significant step up from the Sun Belt competition he faced previously.

Still, Aguilar has made a career out of defying expectations. And with the Vols eyeing a return to SEC East contention, the quarterback who proves most ready by August will take the reins.

Leadership and Locker Room Impact

One underrated aspect of Aguilar’s transfer is his leadership. By all accounts, he’s a high-character player who commands respect in the locker room.

“He’s not the loudest guy, but when Joey speaks, people listen,” said a source close to the Tennessee program. “He’s already connecting with teammates, and that goes a long way when you’re trying to win a starting job.”

In a program that has experienced its share of quarterback turnover in recent years, stability matters. Aguilar’s steady demeanor and big-game experience could prove invaluable as Tennessee navigates a tough 2025 schedule that includes matchups against Georgia, Alabama, Oklahoma, and Florida.

A Defining Year for Tennessee

The 2025 season is pivotal for Josh Heupel and the Tennessee program. After a breakout 11–2 season in 2022, the Vols have struggled to maintain consistency at quarterback and finish strong in the SEC. Now, with a roster loaded with young talent and a revamped offensive line, Tennessee has the pieces to contend—if the quarterback play is steady.

That’s where Aguilar comes in.

If he wins the starting job, he’ll be the first quarterback since Hendon Hooker in 2022 to bring both experience and consistency to the position. If not, his presence will still elevate the competition and prepare the next man up.

Either way, Aguilar’s transfer is more than just a stopgap move. It’s a calculated risk by both player and program—with high potential rewards.

Joey Aguilar’s journey to Tennessee is a testament to resilience, adaptability, and the ever-shifting nature of college football. From overlooked JUCO recruit to mid-major star, and now a potential SEC starting quarterback, his path has been anything but linear. Yet his determination and skill set have brought him to one of the biggest stages in the sport.

Whether he wins the starting job or pushes others to greatness, Aguilar’s presence on Rocky Top will have a ripple effect in 2025. And for a Tennessee team hungry to return to SEC prominence, that could make all the difference.