Tennessee Football has officially named App State/UCLA quarterback Joey Aguilar as its starting quarterback for the 2025 football season. UT head coach Josh Heupel acquired the veteran quarterback from the transfer portal during the spring window as he became acclimated with the program over the summer for the first time.
Aguilar first hit the field with the Vols at the start of fall training camp and earned the job with less than two weeks until the start of the regular season.
The 6-foot-3 quarterback from Antioch, CA, spent his last two seasons as the starting quarterback for App State. He transferred to UCLA in December and went through spring camp with the Bruins, but decided to look for a new home for his final season after the arrival of former UT quarterback Nico Iamaleava in Los Angeles.
In his two seasons with the Mountaineers, Aguilar threw for more than 6,700 yards with a total of 56 touchdown passes.
Aguilar’s best season came in 2023 with 3,757 passing yards, 33 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions. The numbers dropped a bit in 2024, with 3,003 passing yards, 23 touchdowns, and 14 interceptions. Despite the drop, the numbers show that he’s a gunslinger quarterback who isn’t afraid to throw the ball down the field. He wants to succeed with his arm, but isn’t afraid to lower his shoulder and run the ball, as evidenced by his five total rushing touchdowns and 456 career rushing yards.
Aguilar has drawn praise from the Tennessee coaching staff for his aggressive mindset during fall camp. Although he struggled with interceptions during the 2024 season, Tennessee wants him to continue to be strong with his arm and believes its coaching staff can put him in a position of success.
Here’s a look at some of Joey Aguilar’s highlights from his time at App State and some of his work during UT’s fall camp this month. Aguilar will officially take his first in-game snap for the Volunteers when Tennessee kicks off the season on Aug. 30 against Syracuse in Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
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Tennessee QB Joey Aguilar College Highlights
