National media outlet details how Tennessee Vols QB Joey Aguilar is currently viewed as an NFL draft prospect

Despite not arriving on campus until May, quarterback Joey Aguilar is off to a tremendous start in his first five games with the Tennessee Vols.

Aguilar, who transferred from UCLA to Tennessee in May, received a crash course in Josh Heupel's offense over the summer before winning the starting job during fall camp.

The California native has passed for 1,459 yards and 13 touchdowns while leading the Vols to a 4-1 record to start the season.

Two years ago, almost no one in college football knew Aguilar's name. Now he's starting to pop up on Heisman Trophy watch lists thanks to this strong start with the Volunteers.

Is Tennessee Vols QB Joey Aguilar a legitimate NFL draft prospect?

It's still too early to know how NFL teams will view Aguilar as a prospect for the 2026 NFL Draft -- a full season of SEC film will be valuable for teams. But we at least have an idea (for now), thanks to CBS Sports, as to how the Tennessee quarterback will be viewed by NFL teams ahead of next year's draft.

CBS Sports' Cooper Petagna believes as of right now that Aguilar is likely going to fall in the day three/undrafted free agent range.

"Aguilar screams Josh Heupel QB: tempo, vertical shots, and stat sheets that pop," wrote Petagna. "The App State transfer has 13 TDs on 65% passing, pushing nine yards per attempt. At 6-3, 225, he's got the frame, though he's not much of a runner. The big question: is it him, or is it the system? Scouts have been burned on the veer-and-shoot archetype before, most recently in Hendon Hooker. Right now, Aguilar looks like a backup who's worth a late pick. Maybe you stash and see if he can function outside the scheme on the practice squad."

It's clear Aguilar still has some work to do. But that's how his whole career has gone, so I'm sure he's not too worried about how he's viewed right now as a draft prospect.

The good news for Aguilar is that Heupel's offense at Tennessee has evolved and is utilizing more pro concepts. It's not just the veer-and-shoot anymore. There's motion, condensed formations, and complex blocking schemes. It's still a college offense, but it looks like a system that translates a little better to the NFL than some of Heupel's previous offenses.

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