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Josh Heupel gives Tennessee QB update at SEC Media Days not many were hoping for

Joey Aguilar isn't a lock to start?
ByBraulio Perez|
Sep 19, 2024; Boone, North Carolina, USA; Appalachian State Mountaineers quarterback Joey Aguilar (4) throws a warmup pass before the game against the South Alabama Jaguars at Kidd Brewer Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-Imagn Images
Sep 19, 2024; Boone, North Carolina, USA; Appalachian State Mountaineers quarterback Joey Aguilar (4) throws a warmup pass before the game against the South Alabama Jaguars at Kidd Brewer Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-Imagn Images | Reinhold Matay-Imagn Images

In about six weeks, the Tennessee football team will take the field in Atlanta against Syracuse and Vols fans are ready for a statement to be made. However, a big question people have on their minds is who will lead the offense out onto the field?

With veteran QB Joey Aguilar making the move to Knoxville, the expectation was that he'd be the starter and put together some video game-type numbers for Josh Heupel. However, it's not a lock that he's going to be the guy for UT.

On Tuesday, Heupel met with reporters at SEC Media Days and plenty of Vols supporters were hoping that he'd end the speculation and adamantly back Aguilar as his starter. That didn't happen, though, as Heupel said it's going to be an open competition between Aguilar, Jake Merklinger and George MacIntyre during fall camp. It's anyone's job to win:

Tennessee will have an open QB battle at fall camp to replace Nico Iamaleava

Let's look at the negative here. On one hand, there's going to be a bit of uncertainty moving forward on who the starter will be. We would have loved for Heupel to come out and flat out say that Aguilar is the guy and he's ready to fully support him moving forward.

That didn't happen. However, that's what fall camp is for. There are jobs to be won and guys will need to step up knowing that things aren't going to be handed to them. This of course is going to be the case for Aguilar, who tossed for more than 3,000 yards with App State last fall.

He made the move to UCLA to be the starter, but once Nico Iamaleava bolted for Westwood, the door swung open for Aguilar to find a new home and he's since made the move to Knoxville. He's going to be competing with a chip on his shoulder.

From our chair, he's the favorite to win the job, but again, he's going to have to earn it. Both Merklinger and MacIntyre were 4-star signees and they're loaded with potential too. The best man will separate himself in August and then throw the ball all over the field against the Orange. Everyone is now just going to have to wait a little longer to find out who Heupel is going to be rocking with.

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