Aguilar debate

[Just a VolinTears]

Seeing differing opinions about if we want him to return. Would love a space to hear all the thought processes.
For me, I'm of the opinion that it's time for him to move on. I love him as a guy, and he very well may give us the best chance to win (although debatable). BUT it sets a bad precedent. And I know the rules are already being bent and everything, but isn't this what we made fun of Pavia for last season? It's college sports. We don't need 25 year olds playing. The future of the program would be better off anyway with GMac. I'm not willing to put the future of the program on hold because Joey wants one last ride. That's just me. I understand the other side as well. Will be happy either way.

 

[GordonC]

Seeing differing opinions about if we want him to return. Would love a space to hear all the thought processes.
For me, I'm of the opinion that it's time for him to move on. I love him as a guy, and he very well may give us the best chance to win (although debatable). BUT it sets a bad precedent. And I know the rules are already being bent and everything, but isn't this what we made fun of Pavia for last season? It's college sports. We don't need 25 year olds playing. The future of the program would be better off anyway with GMac. I'm not willing to put the future of the program on hold because Joey wants one last ride. That's just me. I understand the other side as well. Will be happy either way.

How can you possibly think that "putting the future on hold" is still a thing, given how the portal works?

 

[TheVolsFrog]

I didn't make fun of Pavia last season.
Pretty bold prediction saying the future of the program will be better of with GMac.
The future of the program isn't being put on hold because Joey wants one last ride.
The program is doing what all the other programs are doing and that's relying more on experience guys with playing time from different levels of football, be it D2, D3 or JUCO.

 

[TheVolsFrog]

How can you possibly think that "putting the future on hold" is still a thing, given how the portal works?

Agreed. You had players that were legit starters and would be the next season starter at the school hitting the portal and all those players weren't from no name schools either.

At least there's not portal to worry about the rest of the year and losing players to it

 

[knox73]

Joey is the epitome of how a man can advance from JUCO to App state then to the SEC and prove himself while making serious money. This is a whole new trajectory of opportunity for overlooked college athletes that is not bad at all. It will only improve the game and spread talent around. There will be a ton of serious talent scouting jobs at the SEC level evaluating the rosters of smaller schools.

 

[GordonC]

Agreed. You had players that were legit starters and would be the next season starter at the school hitting the portal and all those players weren't from no name schools either.

At least there's not portal to worry about the rest of the year and losing players to it

I mean even when we had opt outs for the bowls, we could watch and think of the bowls as a way to look at young talent for the next season. No more. There's no telling where that talent will end up. It's a year-to-year thing, and the emphasis is on winning right now.

 

[TheVolsFrog]

I mean even when we had opt outs for the bowls, we could watch and think of the bowls as a way to look at young talent for the next season. No more. There's no telling where that talent will end up. It's a year-to-year thing, and the emphasis is on winning right now.

I agree. You get/buy the best team you can for the year that gives you the best chance of winning.

 

[camp_steveo]

He had a dang good season. Next season will be even better with a much improved defense.

The young guys just need to be patient. Their time will come soon enough.

As for HS kids, if they are missing out on an NCAA spot, they can go to juco for a year or two then transfer into the NCAA, like Aguilar (and Pavia) did.

 

[driscokid]

Joey’s ceiling in my opinion is probably lower than either GMac or Faizon. He is pretty good but I think we saw his limitations in some games last year other than GA.

 

[EastTNVol6240]

Seeing differing opinions about if we want him to return. Would love a space to hear all the thought processes.
For me, I'm of the opinion that it's time for him to move on. I love him as a guy, and he very well may give us the best chance to win (although debatable). BUT it sets a bad precedent. And I know the rules are already being bent and everything, but isn't this what we made fun of Pavia for last season? It's college sports. We don't need 25 year olds playing. The future of the program would be better off anyway with GMac. I'm not willing to put the future of the program on hold because Joey wants one last ride. That's just me. I understand the other side as well. Will be happy either way.

I like Joey and I appreciate his leadership last year, but I don’t see the obsession with wanting him back. A few bonehead decisions cost us games. The pic6 and the fumble. Sure he had a lot of yards, but if you take out the cupcakes, and look at just sec schedule he was a turnover machine. Good luck JA, but I’m ready to see the next chapter.

 

[VolArmy74]

4th most single season passing yards in school history, with a tumor that was causing pain, and around 4 weeks of actual practice before his first game.

We had the worst defense in the SEC and arguably a bottom 2 defense in modern UT history. A medium defense likely puts us in the playoffs last year.

 

[S.C. OrangeMan]

Joey’s ceiling in my opinion is probably lower than either GMac or Faizon. He is pretty good but I think we saw his limitations in some games last year other than GA.

He had a painful tumor in his arm. That has been fixed. He should be much better. There is no way I want to see anyone else ahead of him of him if he is healthy. Especially unproven young guys.

 

[K-town Vol Fan]

Joey’s ceiling in my opinion is probably lower than either GMac or Faizon. He is pretty good but I think we saw his limitations in some games last year other than GA.

Yeah but he was 3rd in the SEC in passing yards after just being here for a few months. You know what you're getting. It's the unknown that's worrisome starting a freshman QB. The consensus seems to be GMac is talented but physically not quiet ready yet, and it definitely is not ideal to start a true Freshman in this league. So at least with Joey, yeah, he's probably not an NFL QB, but we know he is at least capable of being a top 3 SEC QB in this system. With a much improved defense (hopefully) that should be more than enough to have a successful season.

 

[marcusluvsvols]

We have ~20redshirt freshmen from 2025 and 50 new players from 2026 between HS and the portal. That's ~75 new players out of 105.

Plus a new defense and coaches. There is no way we make a playoff run, and NO way we win a Title in 2026 with 75 new guys. Whether Joey is here or not. We are looking to make playoff runs and win a Title in 2027 AND 2028. That's all that matters. Getting playing time for our young QBs, young WRs, young DLinemen, and young LBs is THE most important job in 2026. Setting the proverbial table in 26 so we can all eat in 27 and 28.

Joey starting all season in 2026 will be detrimental to our Title chances after. Same thing if Campbell and Carter both play 80% of the snaps at LB this year...and Spillman, Perlotte, Harmon, White, and Rouse sit on the bench. Our LB room is LOADED. Loaded. Just like we are at WR. Both rooms need to play these young stars or we will lose them. Also need to play them so they are ready to go in 27 and 28. I love Joey Swag...but him playing at UT this year is NOT good for our program over the next 3 critical years.

 

[Volizona]

Didn’t see any responses matching my thoughts. Yes, sure I’d love to have him back, he’s a good QB and a great person. However “any means necessary” seems a bit too obsessive. If for some reason he’s not approved to come back, it’s not the end of the world. I think GMAC would do fine too. Faison May be as well, certainly by next year.

 

[Zues1]

Tennessee did not beat an fbs team with a winning record.The team finished 8-5

Gmac has wanted to be a vol his whole life.
If Joey comes back and Mac is willing to sit another year knowing he will be pressed hard by Brandon I'll salute him.

 

[VolFreakJosh]

“Putting the future on hold” is downright silly considering players are school shopping every year in the portal.

G-Mac & Faizon will have every opportunity to earn their shot.

Just because you might hurt the other QB’s feelings isn’t an excuse to let an experienced Joey Aguilar walk if you can get him for another year.

The game has changed.

 

[Eastknox865]

Joey’s ceiling in my opinion is probably lower than either GMac or Faizon. He is pretty good but I think we saw his limitations in some games last year other than GA.

He has less than 90 to learn the system then played a large portion of the season with a tumor in his arm. Tumor removed and healed, offense learned. How much better can he be

 

[K-town Vol Fan]

We have ~20redshirt freshmen from 2025 and 50 new players from 2026 between HS and the portal. That's ~75 new players out of 105.

Plus a new defense and coaches. There is no way we make a playoff run, and NO way we win a Title in 2026 with 75 new guys. Whether Joey is here or not. We are looking to make playoff runs and win a Title in 2027 AND 2028. That's all that matters. Getting playing time for our young QBs, young WRs, young DLinemen, and young LBs is THE most important job in 2026. Setting the proverbial table in 26 so we can all eat in 27 and 28.

Joey starting all season in 2026 will be detrimental to our Title chances after. Same thing if Campbell and Carter both play 80% of the snaps at LB this year...and Spillman, Perlotte, Harmon, White, and Rouse sit on the bench. Our LB room is LOADED. Loaded. Just like we are at WR. Both rooms need to play these young stars or we will lose them. Also need to play them so they are ready to go in 27 and 28. I love Joey Swag...but him playing at UT this year is NOT good for our program over the next 3 critical years.

That's not reality. No one plays all their young players and throws away an entire season in hopes to make the next one better. People are already calling for CJH to be fired. You gonna give him a pass if he turns in a 5 or 6 win season playing the youngins? Is anyone?

On paper it's a sound theory. It's a video game theory though, play all your rookies and they'll be good next season. It's just not gonna happen in the real word. I promise you CJH is trying to win as many games as possible. This is a losers mentality.

 

[wmcovol]

Why is it right for Pavia, and several others, to get to play 4 yrs of NCAA football after Jc & Aguilar can’t?

It wasn’t JA fault he was redshirted 1 yr & his college didn’t play a year during Covid.

 

[Proud Army Wife]

The first option. Get on the boat or get left on the dock. You do what it takes to win. Do I hope Gmac develops and sticks with us? You betcha, but he is an unknown and he needs to gain weight. Joey was the SEC passing leader. He knows the offense and provides much needed stability on that side of the ball when we have so many new faces and coaches on the other. He is the difference in 6-6/7-5 vs 9-3/10-2+.

 

[GetYouSomeofThat]

I didn't make fun of Pavia last season.
Pretty bold prediction saying the future of the program will be better of with GMac.
The future of the program isn't being put on hold because Joey wants one last ride.
The program is doing what all the other programs are doing and that's relying more on experience guys with playing time from different levels of football, be it D2, D3 or JUCO.

Even with the coaching of CJH, Joey threw twice as many ints as the redshirt freshman the year before. Idk why so many people are in love with a 24 year old who led us to a 4 loss regular season.

 

[Proud Army Wife]

I like Joey and I appreciate his leadership last year, but I don’t see the obsession with wanting him back. A few bonehead decisions cost us games. The pic6 and the fumble. Sure he had a lot of yards, but if you take out the cupcakes, and look at just sec schedule he was a turnover machine. Good luck JA, but I’m ready to see the next chapter.

We also have to consider that his performance overall was pretty good when he literally had what 2 months to learn the offense and had to deal with that tumor in his arm. That’s pretty impressive if you ask me. Is he perfect? Nope, but there’s no way he doesn’t improve this season.

 

[StarRaider]

G this is a turrible pole

 

[D-Vols]

We have ~20redshirt freshmen from 2025 and 50 new players from 2026 between HS and the portal. That's ~75 new players out of 105.

Plus a new defense and coaches. There is no way we make a playoff run, and NO way we win a Title in 2026 with 75 new guys. Whether Joey is here or not. We are looking to make playoff runs and win a Title in 2027 AND 2028. That's all that matters. Getting playing time for our young QBs, young WRs, young DLinemen, and young LBs is THE most important job in 2026. Setting the proverbial table in 26 so we can all eat in 27 and 28.

Joey starting all season in 2026 will be detrimental to our Title chances after. Same thing if Campbell and Carter both play 80% of the snaps at LB this year...and Spillman, Perlotte, Harmon, White, and Rouse sit on the bench. Our LB room is LOADED. Loaded. Just like we are at WR. Both rooms need to play these young stars or we will lose them. Also need to play them so they are ready to go in 27 and 28. I love Joey Swag...but him playing at UT this year is NOT good for our program over the next 3 critical years.

So you’re saying the young guys are guaranteed to stay around if they get playing time now, to be ready for 27/28? Not in this new ncaa football portal life, players are now going to play for the highest bidder and don’t care about 27/28 like we fans.