With a lost eligibility lawsuit, a surgically repaired throwing arm, and just one month of draft prep, Joey Aguilar’s NFL future was hanging by a thread as he stepped onto the field for Tennessee’s Pro Day on March 31. Despite these challenges, the former Vols QB1 demonstrated his best performance to the NFL scouts present in the building. Now he is hoping for a chance.

“Football is football. Anywhere you go, you’ve got to compete,” Aguilar said after finishing up his workouts. “If I stayed here, my mindset was to go compete. My mindset is still to go compete… I’m still super early in my throwing rehab. But I wanted to go out there to show teams that I’m healing pretty fast and that I can still sling the rock. I’m a little injured right now, but I’ll be healthy by the time a team picks me up.”

Aguilar became the Vols QB1 last year after Nico Iamaleava departed for UCLA. He passed for 3,565 yards at 67.3% accuracy and also rushed for 101 yards. But throughout that time of facing bluebloods like Georgia, Alabama, Oklahoma, and Florida, the Vols’ #6 was persisting with a benign tumor in his throwing arm. It required surgery, but Aguilar postponed it for 2026, hoping he would start for Tennessee again.

“It was difficult. (My) arm was hurting really bad throughout the week (during the season), which would cause me to not be able to throw certain routes,” Aguilar said. “It was taking away from practice a physical rep. It was something I had to deal with, and I chose to do that. I embraced it. I enjoyed it.”

The QB described his tumor as painful, as it limited both his arm strength and mobility. It also put pressure on his right biceps and pectoral muscles, greatly impeding his performance as a QB. The coaching staff knew about the tumor and trusted him to be the team’s signal-caller. Finally, he underwent surgery on January 2. But it came with its own complications.

Aguilar’s world was turned upside down when his NCAA waiver was denied. While still recovering from surgery, he was forced to pivot instantly from hoping for another college season to intense NFL draft prep, culminating in him working out for scouts just four weeks into what should have been a 10-to-12-week recovery.

“I’m still in my rehab, but the ball is coming out really well,” Aguilar said on March 31. “I was excited. It felt good. I wish it could’ve been in Neyland (Stadium) one last time, but it is what it is.”

While currently projected as an undrafted free agent, Aguilar’s resume tells a story of perseverance. His journey from Diablo Valley Community College to the SEC via Appalachian State is backed by impressive production—13,317 career yards and 101 touchdowns—making a compelling case for an NFL team to take a chance on him.

Joey Aguilar opens up on his injury status going forward

Joey Aguilar already has impressive arm talent and can zip the ball in tight windows. Additionally, his pocket presence is top-notch, allowing him to stand tall and deliver throws under pressure. Not to mention his 6’3″ and 225 lb compact frame, which absorbs contact well. Experience is also a plus, with 37+ career starts, and he has also shown his ability to avoid sacks. All that remains is his recovery, and Aguilar is confident on that front.

“I mean, your typical, normal stuff. Nothing like it used to be for sure,” Aguilar said about his injury status. “Now I can throw four, five, six times a week. Before it was maybe twice. But I’m feeling good right now, just your typical quarterback soreness. But I’m excited to see how I am fully healthy.”

Despite many upsides, Aguilar still needs to improve his decision-making and ball security. He threw 14 interceptions in 2024, and we also saw some spotty accuracy at times. Another problem is his mechanics.

Although Aguilar can throw in all areas of the field, the motion is still often vertical, not fully rotational. That leads to turnovers and floating deep balls more than one would want. Lastly, ceiling concerns are undoubtedly there, as he will turn 25 in June; many teams would likely pass on him. But he doesn’t need many teams to draft him, just one. Maybe that’s where his redemption arc finally starts.