The Volunteers' new quarterback threw for 371 yards and accounted for five touchdowns in an overtime loss to Georgia.

The Tennessee Volunteers took a big hit this offseason after quarterback Nico Iamaleava transferred to the UCLA Bruins due to an NIL dispute. Losing one of the nation’s most talented signal callers could have derailed their season.

Tennessee football made headlines this offseason with its quarterback situation, after 2024 starter Nico Iamaleava entered the transfer portal in the spring after leading the Volunteers to their first College Football Playoff appearance.

Tennessee quarterback Joey Aguilar became the first Volunteer QB to throw for more than 200 yards in the first quarter since at least 2015.

Aguilar, in his first SEC game, has completed 10/11 passes for 185 yards and one touchdown. Former Georgia star turned college football analyst David Pollack took to Twitter/X to react to Aguilar’s hot start against his alma mater.

At UCLA, App State transfer and California native Joey Aguilar was excited to be closer to home, but knew the Bruins didn’t bring in Iamaleava to sit on the bench. He ended up transferring to Tennessee, and while many assumed the Vols would take a step back with him at the helm, it appears they ended up with the better quarterback.

Aguilar’s mother, Lydia Aguilar, is a California native of Puerto Rican descent who has played a significant role in her son’s career. She worked as an emergency room secretary, pulling 12-hour shifts throughout Aguilar’s childhood, per Essentially Sports.