When the Tennessee Vols take the field for the 2026 Music City Bowl, is it going to be the last time we see quarterback Joey Aguilar suit up for Josh Heupel? That could be the case, as Aguilar, for now, is going to be out of eligibility once this campaign comes to a close.
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However, there's some hope, as Aguilar is making a legal push to get an extra season in Knoxville. This is something everyone is eyeing moving forward. With former 4-star signee Jake Merklinger deciding that he'll enter the transfer portal, it surely adds some urgency for the SEC powerhouse to figure things out with Aguilar ASAP. Here's why.
BREAKING: Tennessee QB Jake Merklinger plans to enter the @TransferPortal, source tells @On3Sports
— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) December 17, 2025
The 6’3 215 QB will have 2 years of eligibility remaining https://t.co/RlUbB6EMhS pic.twitter.com/VQyIYWroX1
Tennessee football fans are hoping Joey Aguilar will return next season
Outside of Aguilar, Merklinger is the most experienced QB on the roster for Heupel. He was a member of the 2024 class, with fellow 4-star QB George MacIntyre signing with the Vols as a member of the 2025 haul. While Faizon Brandon is one of the top quarterbacks in the country for '26, he'll be making the move to campus as a baby-faced freshman.
With Merklinger expected to leave town, some veteran help is going to be needed for the QBs room. If Aguilar is successful in his battle for an extra season, that will take care of things there and he'll be the starting signal-caller next fall.
However, if he gets bad news from the NCAA, then there's no question that Heupel and his staff will need to look to the transfer portal to bring in some help. An upperclassman will be needed to come in and push for the QB1 role.
Could Heupel spend big and go after someone like Sam Leavitt? That can't be taken off the table either, but don't sleep on MacIntyre or Brandon from turning enough heads to be given the job. Once we know what happens with Aguilar, there will be more clarity on the situation. However, with the portal opening in just a few weeks, the sooner an answer arrives, the better.