Tennessee senior Joey Aguilar has locked down the starting quarterback job, according to multiple sources. So, the veteran outlasted redshirt freshman Jake Merklinger and true freshman George MacIntyre in a heated fall camp battle. Well, camp wrapped up Sunday night with a walkthrough at Neyland Stadium and a final team meeting. Following that, Aguilar emerged as the clear leader. So, what did he show in camp to claim the crown?
Aguilar delivered his best scrimmage yet as a Vol on Friday morning, looking fully in command of the offense. HC Josh Heupel took notice. “I thought he handled himself extremely well,” said Heupel. “That’s today, but I think he’s got better, from day one up until today’s scrimmage. Really every single day. Comfort and control. He’s handled himself extremely well during our night walkthroughs, which is mental focus, mental sweat. And because of that, he’s extremely comfortable in what we’re doing right now.” But what’s even more interesting is that the QB1 spot comes with a payday too.
On August 17, On3’s Pete Nakos noted the momentum was already shifting Aguilar’s way. Friday’s scrimmage sealed it. Now, Joey Aguilar is set to earn roughly $1.2 million this season. And the payday comes with pedigree. As Bill Martin reported, Aguilar will make his 25th FBS start in the @AflacKickoff game. On top of that, he enters as the nation’s active career leader in total offense per game at 288.5 yards (minimum 2,500 yards). Really impressive. But for Joey Aguilar, finding comfort in Knoxville has been a crash course.
Reported it was trending this way last week and that was cemented by Friday’s scrimmage.
Joey Aguilar will make roughly $1.2 million this season. https://t.co/SxcEmGQzaA
— Pete Nakos (@PeteNakos_) August 18, 2025
He didn’t arrive until mid-May, transferring in from UCLA. Tennessee needed a QB after Nico Iamaleava bolted for the Bruins in April. And Aguilar wasted no time setting the tone. “Just put my nose down and grind,” said the 24 YO. “I came in with a short amount of time to learn the playbook. My goal was to be in here every day and get the details of the playbook down, watching film from last season and the spring to see how things are ran. The coaches helped me a lot with that.”
(This is a developing story…..)
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