Joey Aguilar breaks down unique relationship with QB room during competition

As Tennessee heads into the 2025 season, it does so without last year’s starting quarterback. Nico Iamaleava transferred to UCLA this offseason, while former Appalachian State quarterback Joey Aguilar transferred in.

Now, Aguilar is the leader of the group vying to start for Tennessee. But he’s not approaching things as if he’s out in front by himself.

Instead, Joey Aguilar is adopting the mindset that a rising tide lifts all boats. He wants to help the other quarterbacks in the room. For him, that’s just optimal strategy.

“I don’t know how to explain it, because some people would see it as like we shouldn’t help each other,” Aguilar said. “But at the end of the day we all have to be connected as one because, for example, App State I came in as a backup trying to help the starter. Starter got hurt, I have to be ready.”

Joey Aguilar certainly brings his own bit of experience to the table, albeit not at this high a level. He threw for more than 6,000 yards with the Mountaineers, tossing 56 touchdown passes in two years.

He attributes a lot of that to his mentality. And that mentality is something he’s trying to spread to the rest of the quarterback room. He explained how he looked at things when he was with the Mountaineers.

“I can’t go at it as if I’m upset that I’m not starting,” Aguilar said. “I’m trying to do whatever I can to help whoever’s out there and potentially the whole team just win games.”

Tennessee has the luxury of an excellent offensive coach in Josh Heupel. He’s going to get whoever lines up behind center ready to play.

All indications are that will be Joey Aguilar. He’s one of the most veteran options in the room, so does his playing experience give him an edge?

“I’m not sure if it truly gives me an advantage,” Aguilar said. “If you’re good at football you’re good at football no matter what, you know what I mean? But I guess just helping with the playbook I would say maybe. But if you’re a good player, you’re a good player.”

Tennessee will be counting on Joey Aguilar to emerge as a good player at a higher level of football. That’s why the Volunteers brought him in.