Joey Aguilar makes Josh Heupel look very smart in Tennessee Vols debut after offseason of Nico Iamaleava debate

The Tennessee Volunteers made major waves this offseason with, well, let's call it a trade between UCLA and Tennessee for starting quarterbacks. Through one game, it's turned out pretty well for Josh Heupel and the Vols.

UCLA/App State transfer Joey Aguilar completed 16 of 28 passes for 247 yards and 3 touchdowns with no interceptions on Saturday afternoon, spurring the Vols' offense in a 45-26 win over Syracuse in Atlanta.

Aguilar showed a willingness to push the ball down the field on the very first drive, leading Tennessee to scores on their first two drives for a 10-0 lead. By the time halftime had arrived, the Vols were firmly in control 31-14.

Aguilar wasn't perfect - he often sailed the ball over the heads of open receivers or put them in high spots that required them to reach to catch them. That's obviously something they're going to have to work on.

But, for what's felt like the first time in a long time, the Vols' deep passing game was working well against a Power Four opponent. Aguilar found Braylon Staley deep and in stride for a 73-yard touchdown in the second quarter. Tennessee had just two completions of 70+ yards all of last year.

And Aguilar looked every bit the part of what Joey Halzle said they were looking for in the quarterback competition - someone who is willing to be aggressive. Not foolish or "YOLO", but aggressive. Aguilar took shots deep, and he didn't throw into a host of defenders either. He took chances, but he didn't take them in particularly risky situations. When something wasn't there, he didn't hesitant and stand in the pocket - he took off and showed very good athleticism picking up yards with his legs. And the result was a strong and balanced offense (247 yards rushing and passing on Saturday) that left Syracuse unsure of what was coming next.

Nico Iamaleava and Tennessee program parted ways on the eve of the spring game, with reports and rumors swirling around NIL compensation and/or the Iamaleava family's unhappiness with the personnel on offense.

Whatever the true reason turned out to be, Iamaleava is now back home in Southern California, and Aguilar came to Knoxville to compete for the starting quarterback job for the Vols. A debate arose as to whether Tennessee should have found a way to appease Nico and/or his family and keep their 2024 starting signal caller in town or let him leave town and move on. Many were on the side of Heupel for refusing to engage in any kind of demands, whether that was NIL or personnel.

One game in, and Tennessee's offense looks as good as any Tennessee fan could have reasonably hoped for. That's a great sign for the offseason decision by Heupel and Tennessee having been a right one.