Joey Aguilar was the favorite to win the job as Tennessee's starting quarterback and now On3's Pete Nakos confirms that the staff is leaning that way.
It's not a big surprise that Aguilar, a transfer from Appalachian State and UCLA, is expected to lead the Vols' offense in the' Week 1 opener against Syracuse. But he did have to beat out redshirt freshman Jake Merklinger, who was also taking reps with the first team during camp.
BREAKING🚨: Tennessee QB Joey Aguilar will be the starting quarterback for Tennessee Football:
— FOX Sports Knoxville (@FOXSportsKnox) August 13, 2025
As first reported on-air by Fox Sports Knoxville on Monday, On3’s Pete Nakos has confirmed that Aguilar is “trending to be the Vols day one starter.”
Aguilar transferred from UCLA… pic.twitter.com/bJX1i3h47g
Aguilar should bring maturity and experience to the huddle
Aguilar spent the past season starting for the Mountaineers and threw for 6,760 yards and 56 touchdowns in 24 starts. He was second-team All-Sun-Belt in 2023 and Honorable Mention All-Sun-Belt last season.
The 6-foot-3, 225-pounder from Antioch, California has been through the college football grind. Aguilar wasn't a highly-regarded prospect coming out of high school despite being one of the best passers in his region. He got his start in the junior college ranks at Diablo Valley College in California.
Aguilar didn't get much fanfare coming out of JUCO, but Appalachian State took a flyer, and it turned out to be a good one. He transferred to UCLA in December after the Mountaineers' season was over, but he had to relocate back East after former Volunteers QB Nico Iamaleava decided he wanted to transfer to Westwood.
Joey Aguilar today:
— Barstool ‘Neers (@NeersBarstool) September 14, 2024
32-47, 424 yards, 2 TDs
Kids got guts pic.twitter.com/7fo5iFSPux
Age is not just a number this season
Aguilar is 24 years old. That might not sound like a big deal normally, but the Vols have a group of young, talented receivers that could use an experience signal caller. It's also been an offseason full of turmoil with the Iamaleava situation and drama surrounding Boo Carter. Aguilar is expected to provide some much-needed stability.
While the pollsters are exercising caution, there is also a lot of optimism around this Tennessee team. The talent is there on both sides of the ball. Young wide receivers are predicted to have breakout seasons, running back Peyton Lewis looks like he's ready to have an All-SEC campaign and the defense should get an early boost when preseason All-American cornerback Jermod McCoy is cleared to play.
It's getting that much closer to football time in Tennessee.