Tennessee replacing Nico with Joey Aguilar might have been the perfect move for Vols

It’s hard to say Joey Aguilar will be a better quarterback for the Vols until he takes the field, but replacing Nico Iamaleava could be the best thing for the program moving forward. 

Regardless of how Nico or Aguilar performs this season, On3 Sports’ J.D. Pickell believes the attitude and personality change that comes with Aguilar will be a better fit for the Vols. 

“The experience factor for Joey Aguilar and what he brings to the table here is very different than what you have with Nico Iamaleava,” Pickell shares. “Over the course of the season, as you watch the kind of football Joey Aguilar plays with, if nothing else, it’s going to be confident.

“From a play style perspective, Joey Aguilar is going to cut it loose, man, he’s going to let it rip. He’s going to have a higher degree of connection on those deep balls than what Nico Iamaleava had this past season at Tennessee.”

One thing Tennessee hasn’t quite done well is connect on the deep ball. Since Hendon Hooker graduated, the Vols have struggled to complete deep passes and Nico was shy to go for the deep pass in his lone season as Tennessee’s quarterback. 

Aguilar can change that for Tennessee’s offense this year. He might not be the best quarterback or most fundamentally sound, but he’s not afraid to let the ball fly, and that could be precisely what Tennessee’s offense needs.

Although Aguilar still needs to secure the position, his attitude and altered playing style could be pivotal for the Vols’ quarterback room in the future.