Quarterback Joey Aguilar arrived in Knoxville in the late spring of 2025, as a 23-year-old graduate transfer student. Stepping in for the Vols after the shocking departure of former quarterback Nico Iamaleava, Aguilar led Tennessee to an offensively productive season with a regular season record of 8-4.  

Aguilar’s consistent ability to connect on the deep ball made him effective in the Volunteers offense this year, as he helped to propel star receiver Chris Brazzell to a likely first- or second-round pick in the upcoming NFL draft. 

With his college eligibility now timed out, Aguilar is looking to acquire an extra year through a lawsuit brought forth by Vanderbilt’s Diego Pavia last year. With the goal of separating junior college play from NCAA eligibility, Pavia and his legal team sued and were granted an injunction, which awarded an extra year of eligibility to Pavia and several other players for the 2025 season. 

Now adding his name to the suit, Aguilar hopes for the same outcome as Pavia, as he eyes an extra opportunity to play once more. If granted an extra year of eligibility, the Vols would likely welcome Aguilar back as their starter. Having an experienced returning quarterback could be the right move for Tennessee, as Aguilar has shown elite abilities and his strong chemistry with teammates that could only improve in year two on Rocky Top. 

Tennessee’s 2025 backup quarterback Jake Merklinger recently entered the transfer portal and will look for a new home for the 2026 season. After Merklinger and likely Aguilar’s departures, the Vols are left with just two quarterbacks on the roster for next season. Redshirt freshman George MacIntyre and true freshman Faizon Brandon. 

If coach Josh Heupel fails or opts not to acquire a quarterback through the transfer portal, we could see the appearance of one of these young QBs sooner than expected.  

With a whole offseason to prepare for their debuts, MacIntyre and Brandon could be thrown to the fire early in the 2026 season. 

Although it would be risky to start an inexperienced quarterback in a transfer-heavy college football landscape, the Volunteers have the opportunity to play ball the old-school way and put the power in their high school recruits' hands.  

A likely route for Tennessee this offseason is to look to the transfer portal for their next quarterback. Heupel has been known to take this strategy as his last three starting quarterbacks were each acquired through the portal. Notable QBs set to be available in the portal this offseason include Florida’s DJ Lagway, ASU’s Sam Leavitt and Cincinnati's Brendan Sorsby.  

Lagway, who threw 16 TDs and 14 INTs this year with the Gators, failed to meet the high expectations that many had for him before the season. Now looking for a restart elsewhere, the young quarterback could be a top target for the Volunteers this offseason. Lagway’s dynamic style would fit well within a Heupel offense that could utilize his talents in both the run and passing game. With two years of eligibility left, the 20-year-old could finally find his stride and live up to five-star potential if the Vols are willing to give him a shot. 

As a redshirt freshman, Leavitt led ASU to a Big 12 Championship and College Football Playoff appearance in the 2024 season. In that season, Leavitt celebrated his coming out party to the tune of 24 TDs and just six interceptions, completing 61.7% of his passes for 2,885 yards.  

Suffering a foot injury that sidelined him in October of this year, Leavitt played just seven games this season with the Sun Devils. Leavitt totaled 10 touchdowns and three INTs this season. 

Now eyeing an opportunity to play at a higher caliber school, Leavitt, who will enter the transfer portal, will certainly be on Tennessee’s radar for an offseason addition. Proving to be a winner in both the regular and postseason, Leavitt is just what the Volunteers need to get over the hump next season and make a push for a national championship.   

Sorsby of Cincinnati is also a name to watch this offseason, as the junior quarterback from Denton, Texas balled out this year, tossing 27 touchdowns and just 5 interceptions. Despite a late-season slide, the Bearcats put together an impressive season behind the arm of Sorsby, who led all games and opponents in passing yards in each outing this season. 

Sorsby allegedly has familial ties to the Knoxville area which could prove beneficial in the transfer pitching process. Sorsby additionally spoke on Tennessee at a Big 12 media day saying that he attended multiple games at Neyland stadium growing up, citing the unique atmosphere.