Tennessee football has a true quarterback battle on its hands for fall camp.
In the wake of the Nico Iamaleava saga, resulting in the Vols’ returning quarterback leaving for UCLA amidst NIL negotiation controversy, Josh Heupel is going to have to find his new signal caller. The candidates are App State and UCLA transfer Joey Aguilar, redshirt freshman Jake Merklinger and true freshman George MacIntyre.
With other quarterback battles taking place in the SEC, On3’s Pete Nakos gave his predictions for each team’s starter in 2025. In the case of Tennessee, he tabbed the experienced Aguilar as the winner in Knoxville.
“Entering April, the thought of Joey Aguilar leaving UCLA seemed impossible,” Nakos wrote. “The Appalachian State transfer had built a close relationship with offensive coordinator Tino Sunseri. But with Nico Iamaleava’s decision to leave Tennessee and head back home, UCLA jumped at the chance to bring in the former five-star recruit. Aguilar was given the chance to stay and compete, but he ultimately decided to hit the transfer portal and switch spots with Iamaleava, landing in Knoxville.”
More From RTI: How Tennessee Football’s Fast-Rising 2026 Recruiting Class Compares to the SEC
Aguilar went into the 2024 season with high expectations with the Mountaineers. After a dominant showing the year prior, he threw for 3,003 yards on a 56% completion rate. He tossed 23 touchdowns, but turned the ball over with 14 interceptions in just 11 games. On the ground, he added 207 yards and two touchdowns on 59 attempts.
In 2023, Aguilar torched the App State record books. He set new program-best marks for a single season in passing yards (3,757), passing touchdowns (33), total offense (4,002), 200-yard passing games (13), pass completions (293) and pass attempts (460).
That year earned him Sun Belt Newcomer of the Year and Cure Bowl MVP as he steered App State to a 9-5 record, Sun Belt Championship Game appearance and bowl win over Miami (Ohio).
He began his career at the junior college level, playing at Diablo Valley C.C. for two seasons just outside San Francisco. Prior to that, he played two years at Freedom High School in Antioch, California, where he earned First-team All-Bay 6 in both seasons.
