By Nate DeVille
In an electric SEC opening clash on Saturday, Sept. 13, No. 15 Tennessee will host No. 6 Georgia on Rocky Top at 3:30 p.m. EST.
Looking to break an eight-year losing streak to the reigning SEC champion Bulldogs, the Volunteers will have a veteran quarterback to lead them into this early-season battle.
In his first two games with the Vols, graduate transfer Quarterback Joey Aguilar was nothing short of impressive. In wins over Syracuse and ETSU, Aguilar
threw for 535 yards, completing 66.1% of his passes, totaling five touchdowns and no interceptions.
As impressive as these numbers may be, they were not recorded against teams of the same caliber as Georgia. Boasting a roster riddled with talent that’s commanded by two-time National Champion head coach Kirby Smart, the Bulldogs are well-equipped to unnerve Aguilar and his squad.
Will the Tennessee quarterback step up for this primetime opportunity? His former coaches have zero doubts.
Aguilar’s journey to the starting job in Knoxville has been far from that of a typical SEC quarterback. Playing for home crowds ranging from 2,500 to 101,915 fans, Aguilar has seen it all.
Growing up in Antioch, CA, Aguilar went to Freedom High School in the nearby city of Oakley. Aguilar’s senior season as a Freedom Falcon was played under head coach Andrew Cotter.
In his lone season coaching Aguilar, Cotter quickly realized the skill that his quarterback possessed.
“His throwing motion was the best I’ve seen…” Cotter said, while also recalling Aguilar’s “flawless technique”.
“I knew he had the talent. He had everything that he needed to be successful.”
Cotter had full confidence in Aguilar to lead his team, saying, “We knew we always had a fighting chance with Joey.”
Cotter’s sentiments regarding Aguilar’s abilities were not reflected by college recruiters, as the quarterback did not receive any scholarship offers out of high school.
Feeling uncertain of a future in football after graduation, Aguilar flirted with the idea of a different career path. “Before I went JUCO [Junior College] … I wanted to be a fireman,” said Aguilar, who ultimately chose the football route.
In 2019, Aguilar enrolled at City College of San Francisco to play football, but never saw the field due to a redshirted season and the coronavirus pandemic. Aguilar then transferred to Diablo Valley College in 2021, where he played for two seasons, earning him a Division I scholarship to Appalachian State.
While playing at Diablo Valley College, Aguilar’s offensive coordinator was former Arizona Cardinals quarterback Drew Anderson.
Fresh off his professional career, Anderson began his coaching career with Aguilar as his QB.
Anderson spoke highly of Aguilar, saying, “You could see the talent from the jump really clearly.”
Diablo Valley’s then head coach, Mike Darr, highlighted Aguilar’s authentic passion and
believes that it’s what separates him from others on the field.
“You could just feel this confidence at hand; it gave other people confidence”, said Darr.
“There’s guys that try to talk it up… it just felt so genuine with him, in everything that he
was doing.”
Aguilar has always had to work for the starting QB spot. He is unfazed by the
continuous grind, as it has become natural to him.
“I grew up working for everything that I got,” said Aguilar.
“Nothing in my life has been given to me… everywhere I’ve been I’ve had to earn the
right to be that guy.”
This fearless approach to competition has taken his game to another level, according to his former coaches.
“[Aguilar is] a completely fearless football player, doesn’t matter the situation… he’s going to do his thing… lays it on the line every time he goes out there,” said Anderson.
Aguilar’s DVC coaches, Darr and Anderson, have full confidence in his ability to carry these traits over into SEC play, and it comes as no surprise to them to see Aguilar in his current role with the Volunteers.
“[Aguilar] has been punching up his entire career,” Darr said of Aguilar’s grit and fortitude.
The Volunteer quarterback’s former head coach believes that he won’t shy away from any challenge the Georgia Bulldogs throw his way on Saturday.
“The moment’s not going to be too big, the challenge isn’t going to be too big… he’s going to be confident in what he’s able to do and what he believes his teammates can do.”
Anderson is confident that Aguilar’s nerves will not be a factor against Georgia, saying, “He’s going to be exactly who he is, how he always plays is exactly what I expect… the circumstance will not rattle him.”
There appears to be no player more poised and deserving than Aguilar to lead the Vols in their first big test of the season.
A victory on Saturday would undoubtedly be one of the biggest wins in program history.