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Why would Tennessee football fans not want Joey Aguilar back? Let's discuss
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- Why would Tennessee football fans not want Joey Aguilar back? Let's discuss
Why would any Tennessee football fan not want quarterback Joey Aguilar back next season?
Well, George MacIntyre and Faizon Brandon are two big reasons. Fans are grateful for what Aguilar did for the Vols last season, but some of them are ready to move to young quarterbacks.
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However, many fans also believe Aguilar gives UT the best chance to win in the 2026 season, and it appears coach Josh Heupel agrees.
On this podcast episode of "The Volunteer State," UT beat writer Adam Sparks and columnist John Adams discuss the arguments surrounding Aguilar's lawsuit against the NCAA to regain his eligibility. After all, there are different viewpoints within the Vols fan base.
To hear the full discussion, listen to the 50-minute podcast. Here are a few highlights.
Is Tennessee a better team in 2026 with Joey Aguilar?
In a recent column, Adams wrote that Aguilar is the best option at quarterback if winning in 2026 is the only goal.
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"If (Tennessee) were breaking in a new quarterback against that schedule, I couldn't imagine it going better than 8-4. But if Aguilar returns, the Vols should be a strong playoff contender," Adams wrote.
Adams is a firm believer in the value of veteran quarterbacks. And the success of transfer quarterbacks on College Football Playoff teams in the transfer portal era has solidified his opinion.
Sparks isn't a betting man. But he estimates that Tennessee is about 1.5 wins better with Aguilar at quarterback compared to the alternatives. Of course, that could stunt the long-term success of MacIntyre, the former touted recruit who will be a redshirt freshman in 2026.
Adams says long-term plans don't matter in this era of college football.
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"Rebuilding was already an outdated term," Adams said. "But now it's about right now. It's not about two years down the road."
JOEY AGUILAR VS NCAA QB gets restraining order vs NCAA. What's next?
Has Tennessee already gotten Aguilar's best performances?
In 2025, Aguilar led the SEC with 3,565 passing yards, the third most in a single season in UT history, along with 24 TD passes. He also tossed 10 interceptions, including five picks in UT's five losses.
There's a reasonable argument that Aguilar hit his ceiling in the 2026 season. Perhaps his play is to the level of an eight-win team, but no better.
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However, Sparks and Adams argue that Aguilar's best could be ahead of him. He joined the team in summer, learned the playbook quickly and played well in his first stint as an SEC quarterback.
They discussed how Aguilar could improve in his second season if he regains his eligibility.
Should Vols just move on to George MacIntyre, Faizon Brandon?
In 2025, Tennessee lost to all five FBS opponents with winning records. But it beat every team with a losing record. That sounds like a low standard, but it could be worse.
"When you're paying an inexperienced quarterback, you run the risk of losing games that you might think 'well, we should never lose that game,'" Adams said. "I just think the risk factor is so high with an inexperienced quarterback."
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Tennessee's 2026 schedule includes SEC games against Texas, Auburn, Arkansas, Alabama, South Carolina, Kentucky, Texas A&M and Vanderbilt. And for good measure, the Vols play at Georgia Tech in a nonconference game.
Could the Vols win against that schedule with MacIntyre, Brandon or Colorado transfer Ryan Staub as their starter? Maybe, but it's risky. Nevertheless, Sparks empathizes with fans who just want something new.
Aguilar gives UT the best chance to win. But fans have waited patiently to see MacIntyre. In the 2025 season, he completed 7 of 9 passes for 69 yards in two games.
Is Aguilar's return bad for college football?
Sparks and Adams also discussed the potential harm to the sport if Aguilar regains his eligibility. It would further weaken the idea of NCAA eligibility.
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And finally, they debated UT's roster-building strategy after Sparks reviewed the Vols' 2023 recruiting class . Only seven players remain from that 2023 recruiting class, and the players that left UT have transferred 29 times in the past three years.
To hear that discussion and much more, listen to the podcast.
Adam Sparks is the Tennessee football beat reporter. Email adam.sparks@knoxnews.com . X, formerly known as Twitter @AdamSparks . Support strong local journalism by subscribing at knoxnews.com/subscribe .
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This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Why would Tennessee fans not want Joey Aguilar back? Let's discuss
