No. 24 Tennessee has decided on its new starting quarterback. Joey Aguilar, who transferred in from UCLA following the departure of Nico Iamaleava, will lead the offense onto the

Aguilar also reflected on his journey from junior college to the Southeastern Conference. "It was hard,” he said. “Everything's not easy, but I just stayed faithful to Jesus. I have a tattoo on my ribs, it's Proverbs 3:5-6, 'Trust in the Lord with all your heart, do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him.'

On Tuesday, he earned a preseason honor by being selected to the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award preseason watchlist ahead of the 2025 season. He was one of 58 quarterbacks to get selected to the preseason watchlist The award is presented to the top senior or upperclassman quarterback who is on track to graduate with his class.

For the third time in five years under Josh Heupel, Tennessee is turning to a transfer to start at quarterback. Former Appalachian State star Joey Aguilar, who spent spring practice at UCLA, beat redshirt freshman Jake Merklinger in a training camp battle for the right to lead the Vols as they look to follow up their first College Football Playoff appearance in program history.

The Tennessee Volunteers have their man for the 2025 season in Joey Aguilar. Josh Heupel named him the team's starting quarterback on Sunday night after a battle this month for the job between Aguilar,