Tennessee football is under 48 hours from getting its season started against Syracuse in Atlanta. When the Vols take the first offensive snap of the game, it’ll be Joey Aguilar at quarterback after Josh Heupel named him UT’s starter two weeks from the opener.
Since he was named the starter, the media have met with multiple of Aguilar’s teammates. The group fielded questions on what the signal caller brings to the table.
Here’s what they said.
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TE – Ethan Davis
On Joey Aguilar’s approach to fall camp
“His approach, he came in, he wasn’t all ra-ra this is my program now. He did it the right way, the correct way. He paid his dues. He came in, he worked, he showed the work. Ultimately, he produced on the field, which led to him winning that spot.”
On how Joey Aguilar built trust on the team as a spring transfer
“He put effort in getting to know everybody. Me, Miles (Kitselman) and Joey had dinner numerous times. Me and Joey had dinner with the pastor at Heart and Soul Church a few weeks ago. Doing the extra stuff, the little things that he really doesn’t have to do. He’s going out of his way to do that. I feel like that’s the most — let me get to know my teammates outside of football, outside the facility.”
On if it was easy to tell Joey Aguilar was sincere in wanting to connect with the team
“100%. Just the people he hangs around, how he carries himself, his maturity level, how he speaks. It’s easy to tell he’s a genuine person. Everybody on this team knows that.”
LB – Arion Carter
On Joey Aguilar’s decision-making
“Just seeing him be a good game manager for us and being able to go out there and control the ball. Feeling confident with the ball in his hands. Make decisive throws. Really be a good leader for us overall and on the offense has been great to see.”
On how the team has responded to Joey Aguilar’s leadership
“It’s been great. We took him around our wing the first time he got here. Just him growing into that starting role and being able to be a leader for us, not only on offense but collectively also as a leader on the team, has been great to see. Especially with guys like me and the other leadership council rallying around him. He’s been doing really, really great.”
LB – Jeremiah Telander
On how excited he is to see Joey Aguilar do his thing
“I can’t wait. Joey is such a great guy and he has such a great story. I know that we’re going to get everything that he has. It’s his last year to play football. Because it’s his last year, he’s going to get everything that I have. I can’t wait. It’s going to be so much fun.”
On what he appreciates about Joey Aguilar’s leadership
“There’s no cockiness with him. He loves everybody. Just because he’s QB1, he doesn’t act a certain type of way. The way that him and Jake (Merklinger) battled, it’s not like they were envious of each other or anything like that. They truly made each other better and that’s how it has to work. Like I said earlier, you have to prepare like you’re the starter, anything can happen. Joey has done such a great job of building relationships one-on-one with the whole team. That’s a lot of people on the team, but he’s done a tremendous job at that.”
RB DeSean Bishop
On lining up next to Joey Aguilar in the backfield
“Another blessing. Me and Joey have connected really well since I believe he stepped on campus. Got to throw with him earlier, got to work with him on hand-off mesh and stuff like that. It’s been a blessing to work with him and I’m looking forward to seeing how he helps us this year.”
WR Mike Matthews
On what he’s seen out of Joey Aguilar as a leader and quarterback
“I would say when he first got here, he wasn’t nervous or scared. He was real opened up and he was trying to get to know his teammates. I really knock him for that one. Really, just building his chemistry. You’re not going to be cool with everybody in one day, but he took his time and now we’re developed and he earned his spot.”
On how he would describe Joey Aguilar as a quarterback
“I don’t know, man. He’s Joey. I feel like I can’t really explain how he is. He’s a good quarterback.”
On Joey Aguilar targeting multiple receivers in practice
“I see it all the time in practice, but like I said before, it can really be all three. It’s truly three really good quarterbacks. It just so happened that he earned the spot but I feel like everybody in this quarterback room is good.”
OL Lance Heard
On what he’s learned about Joey Aguilar
“Joey is quiet, man, but he’s cool. I think that he’s a good player, but we’ll see it Saturday.”
