This time last year, or even four or five months ago, Joey Aguilar probably didn’t think he’d be playing quarterback for Tennessee. That’s exactly who he’ll be starting for tomorrow, though, in the Volunteers’ opener in Atlanta. Tim Tebow is looking forward to seeing Aguilar as QB1 for the Vols, as he said during an […]
This time last year, or even four or five months ago, Joey Aguilar probably didn’t think he’d be playing quarterback for Tennessee. That’s exactly who he’ll be starting for tomorrow, though, in the Volunteers’ opener in Atlanta.
Tim Tebow is looking forward to seeing Aguilar as QB1 for the Vols, as he said during an appearance on ‘The Paul Finebaum Show’ on Friday on site ahead of their opener tomorrow against Syracuse. That includes seeing how he’ll manage the game for their specific offense in running live for the first time against the Orange.
“I’m excited to see how Joey plays in this,” said Tebow. “Obviously, it’s going to be a big transition.”
“I think one of the things that everybody has always talked about, from Hendon Hooker, Joe Milton, Nico (Iamaleava) last year, is, you know, always about the talent. But, one of the things that Hendon did so well wasn’t necessarily about the talent. It was about the consistency,” Tebow went on. “I really believe, when you’re in this offense and you’re leading this offense? It starts with a conviction, right. You’ve to play convicted. You’ve got to throw it on time. Then you’ve got to be a great decision maker and then you’ve got to be accurate. So, I’m really excited to see how Joey plays in those areas of the game.”
Aguilar arrives after four seasons spent at Diablo Valley CC and Appalachian State along with a spring earlier this year spent at UCLA. He, in 25 appearances with the Mountaineers, posted 60.1% completion for 270.4 yards per game while throwing for 56 touchdowns and 24 interceptions.
As for what can best help Aguilar to start on Saturday, as well as the rest of the season, Tebow and Roman Harper noted two aspects that they think would be to his benefit. That started with managing turnovers, as Harper noted how many he had while with App State as he lost 31 total at an average of 15.5 per season.
“Just, the one concern I have is that he has turned the football over quite a bit, and not just interceptions,” said Harper. “Ball security in the pocket? You’ve got to continue to take care of the football. That is the one thing. Super critical.”
The other pro could be the run game for the Volunteers. They’re having to replace Dylan Sampson in the backfield, but any production they could get on the ground would help to take some things off of Aguilar – who himself can run as well.
“Everybody talks about throwing the football with Tennessee, but what Tennessee does so well under Josh Heupel is they spread you out to run the football. And so, the run game for Tennessee would be, to me, the most important stat,” said Harper. “You’ve got to be able to control the football game, control the line of scrimmage – and then that is how you ease Joey Aguilar in.”
“I think that’s absolutely right,” Tebow agreed. “You’ve got to get the running game going, but that running game is based on equating numbers…This is just so much about decision-making and consistency to me, and that opens up the running game to be able to be more consistent as well.”
“Also, Joey Aguilar is a good runner with the ball as well,” Harper added. “He’s sneaky athletic.”
Aguilar wasn’t originally going to be Tennessee’s quarterback this season. However, now that he is, the Volunteers have to do all they can to help him until Aguilar is completely comfortable running it all.
Category: General Sports
