Tennessee Prepares for Season Opener with Joey Aguilar at Quarterback

ATLANTA, GA - No. 24 Tennessee will kick off its 2025 campaign on Saturday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, and all eyes are on transfer quarterback Joey Aguilar as he makes his Vols debut. Head coach Josh Heupel officially named Aguilar the starter after a three-week fall camp competition, praising his leadership and rapid mastery of the offense.

Aguilar, a transfer from Appalachian State who briefly signed with UCLA this offseason, enters the season opener ranked first in FBS active career total offense per game (288.5) and second in passing yards per game (270.4), meeting the minimum thresholds for both categories. Heupel commended Aguilar’s work ethic and poise, noting that the quarterback “grinded out early mornings and late nights to learn the system” and emerged as the unquestioned leader of Tennessee’s offense.

In a video shared by Rocky Top Insider on X, Aguilar is seen intensely preparing for Saturday’s noon kickoff against Syracuse, emphasizing his focus and confidence heading into his first game in orange and white.

With kickoff less than 24 hours away, Tennessee’s offense will lean on Aguilar’s arm and decision-making to maintain the Vols’ high-tempo attack. His performance will be pivotal in Tennessee’s pursuit of back-to-back College Football Playoff berths.