News Summary
Joey Aguilar has been named the starting quarterback for the No. 24 Tennessee Volunteers ahead of their season opener against Syracuse. Aguilar, who transferred from UCLA, has competitive college experience and has proven himself as a strong candidate for the position. The Volunteers are looking to build on a successful previous season, and Aguilar’s record suggests he is well-prepared to lead the team’s offense as they aim for success this year.
KNOXVILLE, TN – Joey Aguilar has officially been named the starting quarterback for the No. 24 Tennessee Volunteers ahead of their season opener against Syracuse on August 30 in Atlanta. Aguilar’s appointment comes after the departure of former quarterback Nico Iamaleava, who transferred to UCLA following unsuccessful negotiations for a new Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deal.
Aguilar joined the Volunteers in April 2023 after transferring from UCLA, where he had previously transferred from Appalachian State during the winter of the same year. His competitive experience at multiple colleges has made him the frontrunner for the starting role in a keenly contested quarterback battle against redshirt freshman Jake Merklinger and true freshman George MacIntyre.
Having established himself as a multi-year starter at Appalachian State, Aguilar proved to be a strong candidate for the position. Before his transfer, he was seen as a key contender for a starting role at UCLA, a spot that became unavailable with Iamaleava’s arrival. Aguilar’s journey in college football began at City College of San Francisco and later at Diablo Valley College before finding success at Appalachian State.
During his tenure at Appalachian State, Aguilar compiled a record of 13 wins against 11 losses over 24 games, amassing 6,760 passing yards, 56 touchdowns, and 24 interceptions. His impressive performance includes an extensive volume of passing yards, as he recorded the highest figures among returning FBS quarterbacks over the past two seasons. However, these seasons were also marked by challenges, including 31 turnovers, tying him for the most in FBS during that timeframe.
The Volunteers are coming off a notable season, having achieved double-digit victories for the second time in three years. Tennessee made an appearance in the College Football Playoff as a No. 9 seed, where they faced a tough opponent in Ohio State, ultimately losing 42-17. Under the leadership of head coach Josh Heupel, Tennessee’s offensive strategy has gained recognition, ranking among the top 20 in total yards per game in each of his four seasons at the helm.
In 2022, the Tennessee offense was particularly impressive, leading FBS with an average of 525.5 yards per game. Such a powerful offense will provide Aguilar with the opportunity to showcase his skills as the starting quarterback in the upcoming season.
With the season opener against Syracuse approaching, excitement builds for both Aguilar and Volunteers fans. His prior experiences and strong track record will be crucial as he steps into this prominent role, aiming to lead his team to success right from the first game.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Iamaleava Transfers from Tennessee to UCLA, Aguilar Follows
UCLA Welcomes Nico Iamaleava as New Quarterback
Nico Iamaleava Transfers to UCLA Bruins from Tennessee
UCLA Football Welcomes Controversial Quarterback Nico Iamaleava
Nico Iamaleava Transfers from Tennessee to UCLA
Nico Iamaleava Enters Transfer Portal Amid NIL Negotiations
Additional Resources
- ESPN: Joey Aguilar Named Starting Quarterback for Tennessee
- CBS Sports: Joey Aguilar Takes Over as Tennessee’s Starting QB
- 247Sports: Tennessee Vols Name Joey Aguilar Starting Quarterback
- On3: Josh Heupel on Joey Aguilar’s Progress in Tennessee’s Offense
- Rocky Top Insider: Joey Aguilar’s Strategy to Limit Interceptions
- Wikipedia: Joey Aguilar
- Google Search: Joey Aguilar Tennessee quarterback
- Google Scholar: Joey Aguilar Tennessee quarterback
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Joey Aguilar
- Google News: Joey Aguilar Tennessee
Author: STAFF HERE BEVERLY HILLS WRITER
The Beverly Hills Staff Writer represents the experienced team at HEREBeverlyHills.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Rodeo Drive Concours d'Elegance, the Beverly Hills artSHOW, Concerts on Canon, and holiday celebrations throughout the city. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Beverly Hills Chamber of Commerce and Visit Beverly Hills, plus leading businesses in luxury fashion, hospitality, and entertainment that drive the local economy. As part of the broader HERE network, including HERELosAngeles.com, HERESantaAna.com, HEREHuntingtonBeach.com, and HERECostaMesa.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Southern California's dynamic landscape.
