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Joey Aguilar reflects on journey from junior college to SEC
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- Joey Aguilar reflects on journey from junior college to SEC
Senior Joey Aguilar enters his first season as Tennessee 's starting quarterback in 2025. The 6-foot-3, 225-pound signal-caller transferred from UCLA to Tennessee in May after not participating in spring practices with the Vols.
He served as Appalachian State's starting quarterback from 2023-24 after playing at Diablo Valley Community College (2021-22).
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Ahead of Tennessee's season opener versus Syracuse on Aug. 30, Aguilar discussed becoming the Vols' starter after beginning his collegiate career in junior college.
"If you would tell me that in 2021-22, I probably would not have believed it," he said. "I was in JUCO at that time looking at players at this level like, 'dang, that's crazy, I wish I was there,' and here I am, you know? I just have to thank Jesus for giving me the opportunity to be here."
Aguilar also reflected on his journey from junior college to the Southeastern Conference.
"It was hard," he said. "Everything's not easy, but I just stayed faithful to Jesus. I have a tattoo on my ribs, it's Proverbs 3:5-6, 'Trust in the Lord with all your heart, do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him.'
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"That kept me going, and my family just supported me, and my friends really getting me back to play JUCO, and supporting me, and helping me throughout that time. It was fun. I wouldn't go back and want to change my journey at all. JUCO was an amazing time, coaches were great, people were great and my friends and family helped me a lot."
Aguilar enters the 2025 season ranked as the No. 50 player in college football by College Sports Wire.
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This article originally appeared on Vols Wire: Vols' quarterback Joey Aguilar reflects on journey from JUCO to SEC
