The new quarterback for the Tennessee Vols Josh Heupel’s club will be more competitive right away thanks to Joey Aguilar’s inherent edge.

The Tennessee Volunteers are entering a critical phase under head coach Josh Heupel, and at the center of it all stands a new quarterback with a proven track record and an underdog’s mentality. Joey Aguilar, the transfer from Appalachian State, is officially the man under center for the Vols. He arrives with more than just statistics on his résumé—he brings a competitive fire and a maturity that could transform Tennessee’s offense and keep the program squarely in the SEC mix. Heupel’s offensive system demands intelligence, quick decision-making, and precision—all traits Aguilar has shown in abundance. But his real edge? It’s the chip on his shoulder, born from a career spent proving doubters wrong.

Last season, Tennessee’s quarterback play was inconsistent despite the talent of Joe Milton and glimpses of promise from freshman phenom Nico Iamaleava. Milton’s arm strength was undeniable, but his accuracy and game management faltered in key moments. When Iamaleava took over late in the season, fans glimpsed the future—but Heupel needed more than potential. He needed proven production.

That’s why the arrival of Joey Aguilar, a sixth-year senior with over 3,700 yards and 33 touchdowns at Appalachian State in 2023, came at just the right time. His experience fills a leadership void, and his ability to execute high-tempo, RPO-heavy offenses makes him an ideal fit for Heupel’s scheme. Despite Iamaleava’s long-term potential, Aguilar provides something the Vols need now: stability and urgency.

Aguilar’s football story isn’t typical of an SEC quarterback. He didn’t come from a blue-blood program, nor was he a five-star recruit chased by every powerhouse. Instead, Aguilar’s rise began at Diablo Valley College in California before transferring to Appalachian State, where he took over as the starting quarterback early in the 2023 season following an injury to starter Ryan Burger. What followed was one of the most efficient and explosive seasons in Mountaineers history.

He threw for 3,757 yards, 33 touchdowns, and just 10 interceptions, completing over 62% of his passes and leading App State to a 9-5 record and a spot in the Sun Belt title game. He played with poise, delivered in late-game situations, and earned the respect of teammates and coaches alike. Despite his relatively anonymous beginnings, Aguilar developed into a quarterback with big-game instincts.

What makes Aguilar different from your average transfer quarterback is his mental makeup. Every SEC quarterback has physical gifts, but Aguilar brings a self-made toughness—an edge. That edge has been honed through years of being overlooked and having to fight for every opportunity. It’s why Heupel and Tennessee were drawn to him in the portal.

“Joey has that quiet fire,” said one Tennessee assistant coach during spring ball. “He shows up early, stays late, and never takes a rep for granted. Guys gravitate toward him because they know he’s earned everything.”

That underdog mindset fuels Aguilar’s competitiveness. At Appalachian State, he routinely played with a sense of urgency that elevated his teammates. That same mindset will serve him well in Knoxville, especially in a locker room filled with highly touted athletes and under pressure to win now. Aguilar doesn’t need to be flashy—he just needs to be efficient, consistent, and confident. And he already is.

Josh Heupel’s offensive identity is well established: lightning-fast tempo, spread concepts, vertical shots, and calculated aggression. It’s a scheme that turns smart quarterbacks into stars. Hendon Hooker thrived under Heupel, turning into a Heisman candidate and NFL draftee. Aguilar may not be as dynamic with his legs as Hooker, but he’s equally smart and possibly more experienced.

At Appalachian State, Aguilar excelled in tempo settings. He made quick reads, executed clean RPOs, and delivered downfield passes with precision. Heupel values quarterbacks who can keep the chains moving and put stress on defenses with rapid decision-making—Aguilar does exactly that.

Spring practice reports say Aguilar has already absorbed a significant portion of the playbook. While Iamaleava is undeniably the future, Aguilar is the now. And with a manageable early schedule and a loaded offensive roster, Tennessee could ride Aguilar’s veteran presence to a hot start in 2025.

In the NIL and transfer portal era, some quarterbacks transfer for branding opportunities. Joey Aguilar transferred for football. That’s resonated in the Tennessee locker room.

Multiple players noted how Aguilar took time to build relationships, not just run drills. Wide receiver Bru McCoy, who returns as the team’s top target, said Aguilar “stepped in and started leading on Day One without making it about himself.” Offensive lineman Cooper Mays echoed those sentiments, praising Aguilar’s command of the huddle.

This leadership is crucial for a team trying to build back to elite SEC contention. The Vols finished 9-4 last year, a respectable mark, but the blowout losses to Missouri and Georgia showed the gap between Tennessee and the league’s top tier. With Georgia reloading and Alabama adjusting to a post-Saban world, 2025 could be Tennessee’s best chance to make a serious run. That requires a quarterback who steadies the ship—not one learning to sail.

What about Nico Iamaleava, the five-star sensation and fan favorite? He’s not going anywhere—but he doesn’t need to be rushed either. Aguilar gives Tennessee the rare luxury of developing Iamaleava behind a proven college quarterback.

Heupel has managed quarterback rooms well in the past. At UCF, he developed Dillon Gabriel into one of the most prolific passers in the country while keeping depth ready behind him. With Aguilar leading in 2025, Iamaleava can continue to mature without shouldering the entire program.

Moreover, Aguilar isn’t a “one and done” in terms of impact. His mentorship of Iamaleava may prove just as valuable as his on-field production.

Aguilar will lead an offense stocked with weapons. McCoy’s return at receiver gives Tennessee a true No. 1 target. Freshman phenom Mike Matthews and rising sophomore Dont’e Thornton Jr. give the Vols vertical explosiveness. At running back, Dylan Sampson provides dynamic balance, and the offensive line returns three starters.

With Aguilar at quarterback, the Vols can lean into what they do best—tempo, balance, and calculated deep shots. Look for Heupel to give Aguilar freedom at the line of scrimmage and use aggressive fourth-down strategies that keep defenses on their heels. Tennessee won’t be conservative. With Aguilar’s maturity, they don’t need to be.

Aguilar’s presence may even help the defense. In 2024, Tennessee’s defense was improved but inconsistent. Time of possession issues and turnovers put pressure on the unit. Aguilar’s efficiency can change that. Sustained drives, fewer three-and-outs, and fewer interceptions mean the defense can play fresher and more aggressively.

Coordinator Tim Banks has been vocal about how much smoother practices have been with Aguilar leading the first team offense. “He doesn’t waste reps,” Banks said. “That helps us get real work done. He doesn’t play like a transfer—he plays like a captain.”

The road to an SEC title never comes easy. Tennessee’s 2025 schedule includes games at Oklahoma and Georgia, plus a brutal November stretch with matchups against LSU and Kentucky. Aguilar’s poise will be tested.

But that’s exactly what makes his presence so vital. He’s been tested before. From junior college obscurity to App State stardom and now SEC scrutiny, Aguilar hasn’t blinked. He embraces the grind, and that may be the biggest difference for Tennessee.

Heupel has built a culture of speed and swagger in Knoxville, but now he’s adding toughness, resilience, and edge at the most important position. If Aguilar plays the way he did in Boone—with efficiency, leadership, and a little bit of fire—the Vols are poised to rise higher than they have since the early 2000s.

Joey Aguilar won’t be in Knoxville long. His stay may only last one season. But his impact could echo for years. If he helps the Vols reach double-digit wins and a New Year’s Six bowl, Heupel’s quarterback pipeline gains even more credibility, and Iamaleava enters 2026 with a program ready to compete at the highest level.

Sometimes, a team doesn’t need the most talented quarterback—it needs the most prepared one. Aguilar is prepared. And with the SEC evolving and traditional powerhouses undergoing changes, Tennessee is in a prime position to strike.

Joey Aguilar’s inherent edge—his leadership, experience, and determination—gives the Vols something they’ve lacked since Hendon Hooker’s departure: a quarterback they can trust to lead right now. That makes Tennessee more than just dangerous. It makes them relevant. Immediately.