Joey Aguilar Wins Tennessee’s Starting QB Job, Aims to Jump-Start Offense Under Heupel
Tennessee is turning to transfer quarterback Joey Aguilar to guide its offense this season, naming the Appalachian State veteran the starting quarterback after a training camp battle with redshirt freshman Jake Merklinger. Aguilar, who spent spring practice at UCLA, arrives as the Vols seek to rebound from a passing attack that lagged behind the league in recent years after Hendon Hooker’s departure.
The Vols entered the offseason with questions about their air game. From 2023 to 2024, Tennessee finished no better than eighth in the SEC in passing yards after leading the conference in 2022. Last season, the offense averaged 221.2 passing yards per game, a mark that placed 12th in an expanded 16-team league and was among the lowest for teams that made the playoff field.
Aguilar’s push for the job came amid a broader push to refresh Tennessee’s offense. Heupel’s tempo-based, decisions-forward system has long prioritized quick reads and a quick trigger, and Aguilar’s background—24 career starts at App State—gives him a bank of experience the Vols have lacked at times in recent seasons. Heupel has repeatedly highlighted Aguilar’s comfort, leadership and rapid adaptation to Tennessee’s playbook.
“Today, I think he’s gotten better from Day 1 up until today’s scrimmage,” Heupel said after Tennessee’s second fall scrimmage. “Comfort. Control. He’s handled himself extremely well during our night walkthroughs, which is mental focus, a mental sweat. Because of that, he’s extremely comfortable in what we’re doing right now.”
If Aguilar can catch up to the speed of Tennessee’s offense and develop chemistry with the receiving corps, his experience could be a stabilizing factor for a passing attack that was unsettled by injuries and availability issues at wide receiver during fall camp. Braylon Staley, Chris Brazzell II and Mike Matthews all missed significant time at various points, and none had appeared in a fully healthy, proven rotation of options ahead of the season opener.
Aguilar’s track record at App State suggests a quarterback who can process quickly and push the ball out on time. Over his two seasons in Boone, he started 24 games and demonstrated a willingness to take quick reads and, at times, take calculated risks. His passing numbers show a balance of volume and efficiency: in 2023, he threw for 3,757 yards with a 63.7% completion rate, averaging 268.4 yards per game with 33 touchdowns to 10 interceptions. In 2024, he totaled 3,003 yards and 23 TDs with 14 picks while completing 55.9% of his passes. He’s also shown mobility, gaining 452 rushing yards and scoring five rushing touchdowns across those two years.
The rotation at quarterback previously featured Joe Milton and Nico Iamaleava, whose levels of in-game experience varied and left the offense learning on the fly at times. Aguilar’s background could help Tennessee better manage the tempo-based offense, especially if he can consistently deliver quick reads and accurate throws to spread looks that Heupel relies on to create space for big plays.
One factor to watch is how quickly Aguilar can build rapport with Tennessee’s receiving corps. The trio of Staley, Brazzell II and Matthews has talent, but injuries and availability during fall camp limited their time together. If Aguilar can get on the same page early, the Vols could start the season with a more efficient air attack than they showed last year, even as they face a front-loaded schedule that includes an early showdown with Georgia on Sept. 13.
Tennessee will open the season versus Syracuse in less than two weeks, a test that will reveal how quickly Aguilar can translate practice performance into game-day rhythm. The Vols’ offense, built around a fast-paced, repped-driven approach, has long aimed to minimize turnovers by maintaining tempo and limiting long, high-risk passing attempts. Under Heupel, the program hasn’t had a quarterback throw more than five interceptions in a season, a standard Aguilar will be eager to uphold and perhaps even exceed as he brings veteran poise to a team searching for consistency through the air.
Overall, Aguilar’s acquisition offers Tennessee a seasoned quarterback with the ability to handle a complicated playbook, distribute quickly, and make plays outside the pocket when needed. If he acclimates rapidly to the college game’s speed and establishes a reliable rapport with receivers, the Vols could see a more dynamic and balanced offense than last season, with a passing attack that better complements Tennessee’s high-tempo identity.
What to watch next
– How quickly Aguilar builds timing with Staley, Brazzell II and Matthews, and whether the receiving corps can stay healthy and productive from Week 1.
– The effectiveness of Tennessee’s play-action and quick-throw concepts to mitigate inexperience at wide receiver.
– The balance between Aguilar’s willingness to push the ball downfield and the need to protect the football within Heupel’s offense.
– The season opener against Syracuse as a baseline for how the offense can function at game speed and whether Aguilar’s experience translates into cleaner reads and faster decision-making.
Overall impression: a calculated move to stabilize the position with a player who brings proven starting experience and the ability to play within a fast, high-percentage system. If Aguilar adapts quickly and the receiving group can stay healthy and cohesive, Tennessee could turn the page on last season’s passing struggles and unlock a more versatile, explosive offense. Additional comments: keeping an eye on how the offense evolves with Aguilar’s leadership and how Heupel tailors the playbook to maximize his strengths will be key early in the season. A positive outlook hinges on quick chemistry, disciplined decision-making, and continued development from the receiving corps.