With Diego Pavia Gone, Expect the Tennessee Volunteers’ Explosive Offense to Soar Behind Transfer Quarterback Sam “Tsunami” Aguilar

The Tennessee Volunteers are no strangers to electric quarterback play. From Peyton Manning’s legendary precision to Hendon Hooker’s recent fireworks, the Vols have built a legacy around gunslingers who know how to light up the scoreboard in front of a roaring Neyland Stadium crowd. Now, in the wake of Nico Iamaleava’s early departure and a changing quarterback landscape in college football, the torch may be passing once again—this time to New Mexico State transfer Diego Aguilar, who has already become one of the most talked-about additions in the SEC.

At first glance, Sam Aguilar doesn’t seem like your prototypical Southeastern Conference quarterback. He doesn’t have the same Power Five pedigree as other contenders in the league. His path to Tennessee came through Las Cruces, where he quietly developed into one of the most dangerous dual-threat quarterbacks in the Group of Five. But when you dig into his game tape, what stands out isn’t just his stats—it’s his relentless command of the field, his escapability under pressure, and the calm with which he delivers deep strikes downfield. Those are precisely the traits that made Josh Heupel and the Tennessee staff see Aguilar as an ideal fit for their turbo-charged offense.

Heupel’s system is a dream for quarterbacks with a quick trigger, sharp vision, and the ability to process the field at warp speed. Designed to stretch defenses both vertically and horizontally, it’s one of the few college offenses that almost feels like it was engineered in a lab to break defensive coordinators’ brains. When it works, it’s poetry in motion—snap, read, fire. And that’s where Aguilar comes in. His comfort making pre-snap reads, manipulating safeties with his eyes, and adjusting in real-time is exactly what Tennessee needs to keep the machine humming.

Last season at New Mexico State, Aguilar threw for over 3,600 yards with 32 touchdown passes while adding nearly 600 yards and 10 scores on the ground. It was a breakout year that saw him lead the Aggies to a bowl game and capture national attention. But more important than the raw numbers was the way he did it. Aguilar regularly faced adversity—pressure off the edge, collapsing pockets, blitz-heavy packages—and consistently made plays. He wasn’t just managing games; he was dictating them.

Now imagine that kind of command being dropped into an offense filled with speed demons at receiver, a bruising running game, and an offensive line that returns significant experience. The possibilities are tantalizing. And if early reports from spring practice are any indication, the coaching staff has wasted no time installing packages designed to capitalize on Aguilar’s strengths. Rollouts, RPOs, designed quarterback draws, and quick game concepts are all in play, and Aguilar has reportedly taken to the playbook like a natural.

That transition has been aided by the Vols’ returning weapons. While the departure of Bru McCoy to the NFL leaves a void in terms of leadership and physicality, Tennessee still boasts a deep and talented receiving corps. Jalin Hyatt’s younger brother, Kymon Hyatt, is expected to emerge as a vertical threat, while sophomore WR Marquez Taylor has flashed serious speed and route-running prowess. Add in tight end Ethan Davis, who could become Aguilar’s best friend on third downs, and this offense suddenly feels as balanced as it is explosive.

Running the ball won’t be an afterthought either. Dylan Sampson is back and poised to build on a solid 2024 campaign that saw him eclipse 1,000 all-purpose yards. His shiftiness, vision, and ability to catch passes out of the backfield perfectly complement Aguilar’s skill set. It also gives Tennessee a valuable tool when teams try to load the box or drop into deep zone coverage to contain the deep ball.

But perhaps the most exciting part of this story is what Aguilar brings in terms of intangibles. Teammates have raved about his leadership since the moment he stepped on campus. Coaches praise his work ethic and film-room habits. His calm, composed demeanor in clutch moments—something that often can’t be taught—has already been noted by observers close to the program. He’s not just a talented quarterback; he’s someone the team seems to want to rally around.

This is especially important in the high-pressure cauldron of SEC football, where road games in places like Tuscaloosa, Athens, and Baton Rouge test even the most seasoned players. Tennessee doesn’t just need a playmaker—they need someone who can keep the offense on schedule when the crowd is deafening, when the stakes are high, and when the margin for error is razor-thin. Aguilar has already shown he can do that in smaller venues. Now, he’ll get the chance to prove it on the biggest stage in college football.

There’s also the element of surprise working in Aguilar’s favor. Defenses across the SEC know what to expect from Josh Heupel’s scheme. But they’ve never had to prepare for Aguilar running it. That gives Tennessee an early-season edge, particularly in the non-conference matchups and the early stretch of league play, when coordinators will be forced to guess how Heupel plans to deploy his new quarterback. If Aguilar and the Vols can build early momentum, there’s a legitimate path toward a top-10 ranking by midseason—and perhaps, a dark horse College Football Playoff run if the pieces fall right.

Of course, none of this is a guarantee. The SEC is a brutal proving ground. Every week brings a new challenge, and depth across the offensive line remains a lingering concern for Tennessee. If injuries pile up or the timing between Aguilar and his receivers doesn’t sync early on, the offense could sputter. But given Heupel’s track record and the early chemistry Aguilar has shown with the offensive core, it’s hard not to be optimistic.

In many ways, Aguilar represents the next chapter in Tennessee’s ongoing evolution as an offensive powerhouse. Hooker’s breakout paved the way. Joe Milton’s cannon arm brought flashes. Nico Iamaleava was the prized recruit who brought buzz. Now Aguilar, perhaps the most under-the-radar addition of them all, steps into the spotlight. And if he plays to his potential, he won’t be under the radar for long.

What makes this situation unique is the perfect match of scheme and skill set. Too often in college football, talented quarterbacks are dropped into systems that don’t play to their strengths. But in Knoxville, Aguilar has found a home that not only suits his style but seems almost tailor-made for it. That synergy could prove devastating for opposing defenses—and wildly entertaining for fans in orange and white.

So what should we expect? Big plays. A high-octane offense. A quarterback who can turn broken plays into highlights and tight windows into touchdowns. And most importantly, a team that once again feels dangerous—capable of putting up 40 points on anyone, anywhere. If that happens, Tennessee won’t just be relevant again. They’ll be feared.

As the summer unfolds and fall camp approaches, keep an eye on Aguilar. His journey from overlooked transfer to SEC star is just beginning. And in a league where quarterbacks often define the season, the Vols might have just found the perfect trigger man to ignite another run at glory. Buckle up, Rocky Top. This ride should be a whole lot of fun.