A good bit of Tennessee football’s offense is quick passes and decision making in the RPO game. So far, Vols quarterback Joey Aguilar has done a great job in this aspect, spraying it across the field. This led to former Georgia quarterback Aaron Murray comparing him to a ‘middle infielder’ in a film breakdown.
“The thing that jumps off the tape when I watch Joey is the quick release,” Murray said. “We talk about at quarterback, being like a middle infielder. You see it all the time with him, whether its the RPO game of something over the middle of the field. Has the ability to put the ball into the belly of the running back and then rip it out for completions.”
This quick release and ability to whip it to the boundary or over the middle have resulted in impressive numbers through two games. Aguilar has produced a total of 535 passing yards and five touchdowns without throwing an interception in one and a half games of work.
Maybe it is a baseball background that’s helped reach this production. At team media days heading into fall camp, Aguilar said he ‘always played baseball’ which was partially how he ended up with No. 6 on his uniform. He said he bounced around the field, but it certainly helped with his ability to throw the ball.
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On one memorable play, Aguilar looked more like a right fielder gunning down a runner at home from the warning track in the season-opener against Syracuse than a middle infielder making a quick turn. In the first half, Aguilar delivered a beautiful ball to Braylon Staley on a post-route for a 73-yard touchdown.
Murray liked the throw in his film breakdown and complimented the route run by Staley. He also noted how nice it must’ve been for UT fans to see a deep ball be connected on after a year of missed opportunities in 2024.
“You just put some air under it, throw it in between the goal posts,” Murray said. “Man, did they miss a lot of those last year. Good to see them hitting that one early on in the season if you’re a Tennessee fan.”
This Saturday, it’ll be Aguilar and Tennessee hosting Georgia inside a checkered Neyland Stadium. Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m. ET and will air on ABC.
