1. Introduction
Joey Aguilar has emerged as one of college football’s most compelling quarterback stories. A journey that began in junior college has culminated in the SEC spotlight, where he now takes center stage as Tennessee’s starting QB. This article delves into his age, high school background, UCLA tenure, performance highlights, and proud nationality.
2. Early Life & Nationality
Born June 16, 2001, in Antioch, California, Joey Aguilar is American with a rich Latino heritage—his father is a first-generation Mexican American and his mother is Puerto Rican.
Raised in a sports-loving family, Aguilar grew up embodying both cultures. He has been seen proudly honoring his roots—often displaying both the Mexican and Puerto Rican flags during games.
Despite his talent, Aguilar went unnoticed by major college programs out of high school, setting the stage for his underdog narrative.
3. High School: Freedom High School
Aguilar attended Freedom High School in Oakley, California, where he achieved standout numbers:
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5,575 passing yards on 336-of-552 attempts
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59 passing touchdowns, with just 14 interceptions
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Added 151 rushing yards and 4 rushing TDs
These results showcase Aguilar’s dual-threat capability—an early sign of his potential.
4. Junior College Path
City College of San Francisco (2019)
Joey Aguilar began his collegiate career at City College of San Francisco. He redshirted during his true freshman year and transferred the next season Wikipedia.
Diablo Valley College (2020–2022)
Aguilar moved to Diablo Valley College, where he initially faced delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic (2020 season was canceled).
In 2021, Aguilar earned the starting job after competing for the role, leading to a 3–2 record. Despite an injury in 2022, he concluded the season with 2,992 passing yards, 21 touchdowns, 10 interceptions, plus 619 rushing yards and 2 rushing touchdowns.
These platforms paved the way for his leap to Division I football.
5. Appalachian State: Record-Breaking Success
Aguilar committed to Appalachian State for his junior year, where his impact was immediate and historic.
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2023 season: Named Sun Belt Newcomer of the Year, Cure Bowl MVP, and second-team All–Sun Belt.
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He shattered school single-season records: 3,757 passing yards, 33 passing touchdowns, 4,002 yards of total offense, 293 completions, and 460 attempts.
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He had 13 games of 200+ passing yards, six of which exceeded 300 yards, and one explosive 400-yard game vs. East Carolina (424 yards).
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Notably, he threw four touchdown passes in four different games and led the nation in crucial, lead-changing scores.
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2024 season: Posted 3,003 yards and 23 touchdowns in 11 games, with a 273-yard per-game average, including a career-high 424-yard performance at ECU, and a career-long 83-yard TD.
Over two seasons at App State, Aguilar amassed 6,760 passing yards, 56 touchdowns, and 24 interceptions.
6. Transition to UCLA
On December 28, 2024, Joey Aguilar transferred to UCLA, viewed as a likely starter poised to succeed Ethan Garbers.
However, his time at Westwood was brief—he enrolled, participated in spring practices, and was set to lead the offense until a disruptive transfer occurred.
7. The QB “Swap”: UCLA → Tennessee
In a rare and widely publicized college football QB trade, Joey Aguilar entered the transfer portal in April 2025—just hours after Nico Iamaleava, the Tennessee QB, transferred to UCLA.
Tennessee swiftly secured Aguilar, offering approximately $1.2 million in NIL value—matching what he had remaining from UCLA. This followed Iamaleava’s push for a $4 million NIL deal, which ultimately led to his departure
8. Arrival at Tennessee: New Opportunity
From Spring 2025, Aguilar was officially with the Tennessee Volunteers. Head coach Josh Heupel announced an open competition among Aguilar, redshirt freshman Jake Merklinger, and freshman George MacIntyre.
On August 17, 2025, Aguilar was named Tennessee’s starting quarterback, ahead of the season opener against Syracuse.
9. Summary of Highlights & Career Path
To recap Joey Aguilar’s journey:
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Age: Born June 16, 2001 (currently 24)
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High School: Freedom High (Oakley, CA) – record-breaking stats
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Junior College: CCSF (redshirt), Diablo Valley – strong dual-threat showing
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Appalachian State: Record-setting two seasons; Sun Belt awards, Cure Bowl MVP
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UCLA: Very brief stop before entering the portal
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Tennessee: Transferred via rare QB swap, now the starting signal-caller
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Nationality: Proud American with Mexican American and Puerto Rican roots
10. Looking Ahead
As the 2025 season kicks off, all eyes will be on Aguilar’s performance with the Volunteers. Will he replicate or exceed the success he achieved at App State? Tennessee fans hope so—and both the SEC and national media will be watching.
11. Conclusion
From a talented yet overlooked high school quarterback to a record-setting FBS leader and now an SEC starter, Joey Aguilar’s path is a story of resilience, adaptability, and ambition. His journey—from junior college to Appalachian State triumphs, a brief UCLA stint, and onto the Tennessee spotlight—is as inspiring as it is unique. And through it all, his proud Latino heritage remains central to his identity and appeal.
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