Tennessee’s Joey Aguilar has reopened Josh Heupel’s explosive offense.
Aguilar had nine explosive pass plays against Georgia.
That figure may have seemed unlikely in May when Aguilar transferred to Tennessee. As plenty of the attention was on Aguilar’s 14 interceptions in 2024 at App State.
In 2024 against Georgia, the Vols didn’t connect for their first explosive play (15 or more yards) until 14:03 in the 3rd quarter.
Then starting quarterback Nico Iamlaeava passed for 17 yards to Squirrel White.
Compare that to the 2025 game and by the third quarter against, Tennessee already had six such plays.
The explosiveness starts at the top.
It’s clear Heupel has incredible trust and confidence in Aguilar.
“Came out, played within himself, made plays early, got it to guys who can go make plays” said Heupel post game. “When it wasn’t going good in the second quarter, man, super calm demeanor.”
In 2024, there was a recurring question Heupel fielded; ‘when will you open the playbook?’
That question has not been asked with Aguilar at the helm.
Right now, Aguilar’s completing better than 66% of his passes.
He’s been quick in decision making and has good timing with his receivers.
Aguilar has also been praised for his leadership and connection with his teammates. Late in the game, wide receiver Braylon Staley slipped on a route and it ended with an interception.
Aguilar reassured him as they walked off the field and wasted no time restarting that connection.
The very next drive, Staley’s the first receiver he goes to.
“Just keep him up, not telling him get down on himself, because we had a lot of ball to play left,” said Aguilar post game. “Live to the next play, and he did. He was able to go succeed after that.”
Part of Aguilar’s success is a credit to his connection with his receivers.
“It’s amazing,” said Staley. “Just to be able to go to they crib or just go out to eat with them, it’s amazing to have people like that in the building. And that’s just a great relationship he has with everybody.”
During the SEC Spring Meetings, Heupel told Full Disclosure Aguilar impressed him with his accuracy in the middle of the field.
He showcased that against Georgia.
Seven of Aguilar’s 23 completions were in the middle of the field.
As the 2025 College Football season continues, an area of growth that needs to develop is the offensive line’s ability to pick up the blitz.
“There’s been a lot of really good things in our protection,” said Heupel on Monday. “There are some things that are unique to handle, that we gotta handle in a better way.”
Tennessee takes the field against the University of Alabama at Birmingham on Saturday.
