Greg McElroy cautions against assuming Joey Aguilar will win Tennessee QB job
By Derek Hryn
Published:
Tennessee football’s quarterback battle is not officially settled yet with the 2025 season opener right around the corner.
Appalachian State transfer Joey Aguilar is believed to be the expected starter for the Vols, given his previous experience under center at the collegiate level. However, there still appears to be some existing competition.
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“It sounded like it was going to be his show,” ESPN’s Greg McElroy said Wednesday on Always College Football. “It sounds like he’s been okay … But he hasn’t completely locked down the position just yet.”
Aguilar, who threw for more than 6,000 yards and 56 touchdowns at Appalachian State, isn’t taking the presumed starting role under center for granted. He’s embracing a team-first mentality, helping the quarterbacks who are currently pushing for more reps.
“The quarterback spot is what’s going to be most important to Tennessee challenging to make the College Football Playoff,” McElroy said. “There’s three guys in this quarterback competition. You got Aguilar .. But you also have Jake Merklinger, it sounds like his accuracy has been a bit up-and-down. One guy we have not talked a whole lot about is a guy named George MacIntyre, who has been running, for the most part, with the seconds and the threes .. But it sounds like they might have a gem.”
For now, though, all indications are Aguilar is the frontrunner to be Tennessee’s QB1.
