On Friday, Tennessee football took to Neyland Stadium in the morning to hold its second scrimmage of fall camp. Since then, one particular video that surfaced from the scrimmage has begun to create some hype for the upcoming season. The clip is of quarterback Joey Aguilar connecting with wide receiver Amari Jefferson on a deep ball.
The clip begins after the play has already started, so it isn’t possible to tell exactly what position Jefferson is playing or what the entire route was. However, he has been getting reps in the slot during the practice sessions open to the media. Jefferson was covered by defensive back Edrees Farooq on the play. Farooq enters his sophomore season and could be named the starter opposite of Andre Turrentine at safety.
There are a few other players you can make out on the field, as well. On offense, besides Aguilar and Jefferson, you can for sure spot freshman receiver Travis Smith Jr., freshman tight end Jack Van Dorselaer and transfer running back Star Thomas. It looks like Lance Heard (No. 53) may be at left tackle, but the number is a bit blurry.
On defense, outside of Farooq, you can see freshman edge rusher Mariyon Dye and redshirt freshman linebacker Edwin Spillman. Two other defensive backs are in frame, but neither give a clear view of their number.
— Amari Jefferson (@AmariJefferson6) August 16, 2025
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Aguilar is currently in the middle of a quarterback battle alongside redshirt freshman Jake Merklinger and true freshman George MacIntyre. When Vols head coach Josh Heupel met with the media following the scrimmage, he did not name a starter or narrow down the battle for the starting job.
Initial expectations were that returning Tennessee quarterback Nico Iamaleava would slide back into his starting role in 2025, but reported NIL negotiations led to a fallout between the sides. As a result, Iamaleava left in a messy transfer scenario and ended up at UCLA. With Aguilar transferring from App State to UCLA in the initial transfer window, he saw his projected starting job with the Bruins usurped from him. He would enter the spring window, as well, and find his way to Knoxville to replace Iamaleava.
Jefferson is also in his first year with Tennessee as an incoming transfer. He spent his freshman season at Alabama, but did not play due to injury. He transferred following the season. He is a former in-state recruit out of powerhouse Baylor School and was a four-star prospect.
