Tennessee fans were hoping for clarity when head coach Josh Heupel took the podium at SEC Media Days, but instead, they got confirmation that the starting quarterback job is far from settled. With the Vols just weeks away from their season opener against Syracuse in Atlanta, the quarterback situation remains wide open and that includes transfer Joey Aguilar.
The veteran signal-caller arrived in Knoxville with high expectations after an impressive season at Appalachian State where he threw for over 3,000 yards. Aguilar was seen by many as the frontrunner to take over after Nico Iamaleava transferred to UCLA. But Heupel’s message was clear on Tuesday: no one is being handed the keys to the offense.
Heupel told reporters that the starting quarterback role will be decided during fall camp, and the competition will include not only Aguilar, but also redshirt freshman Jake Merklinger and early enrollee George MacIntyre. Both young quarterbacks come in as former 4-star recruits and bring plenty of upside to the table. While Aguilar’s experience gives him an edge, the door is wide open for either underclassman to make a strong push.
That announcement came as a bit of a surprise to many Vols fans who were expecting Heupel to throw his support behind Aguilar. After all, the senior has already proven himself at the collegiate level, and his transfer was seen as a move to fill a very specific need for Tennessee: an experienced, steady hand to guide a high-powered offense.
But Heupel’s decision to keep the competition open isn’t without logic. In today’s college football landscape, nothing is guaranteed, and competition can bring out the best in players. By letting the battle play out, Heupel is ensuring that whoever earns the starting nod will have truly separated themselves in practice.
For Aguilar, the challenge now becomes proving that he’s not just a product of the Sun Belt. He made a brief stop at UCLA before heading east to Tennessee after Iamaleava’s departure from the Vols to Westwood. Now, Aguilar must beat out two highly-touted young guns who are hungry for their shot.
While some may view Heupel’s announcement as a sign of uncertainty, it may ultimately prove to be a motivating factor. Aguilar, likely feeling the pressure, will enter fall camp with a chip on his shoulder, knowing nothing will be handed to him. And for Tennessee, that could be exactly what’s needed—a seasoned quarterback playing like he still has something to prove.
Make no mistake: Aguilar is still the favorite heading into August. His arm strength, vision, and command of the game are all attributes that align well with Heupel’s uptempo offensive scheme. But in a program with big ambitions and high stakes, every position must be earned.
The Vols may not have their QB1 named yet, but they’ll have one soon enough. Come late August, the cream will rise and whether it’s Aguilar, Merklinger, or MacIntyre, Tennessee will send out the man best suited to lead the offense against Syracuse in Week 1.
