Paul Finebaum. © Shanna Lockwood-Imagn Images

Paul Finebaum Names College Football Playoff Team with Major QB Concern

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Jaron Spor | Last updated May 28, 2025 6:00 PM ET

Of the 12 teams that made the College Football Playoff in 2024, six are returning their starting quarterbacks. That includes Gunner Stockton of the Georgia Bulldogs, who started in the playoff game after the regular-season starter, Carson Beck, was injured in the SEC Championship Game.

One team that lost its starter is the Tennessee Volunteers, who initially expected to begin the season with their starting quarterback, Nico Iamaleava, returning to the team. However, just before the start of the spring game, it was announced that Iamaleava would enter the transfer portal.

Iamaleava ultimately transferred to the UCLA Bruins, leaving Tennessee in a difficult situation. The Volunteers were left with just two quarterbacks on their roster: redshirt freshman Jake Merklinger and true freshman George MacIntyre, who together have made only nine career passes.

Fortunately for Tennessee, after Iamaleava's transfer to UCLA, former Appalachian State Mountaineers quarterback Joey Aguilar, who had been committed to UCLA, entered the portal and ultimately chose to join Tennessee instead.

During a segment of "Fine or Not Fine," SEC Network analyst Paul Finebaum stated that even with Aguilar's commitment, Tennessee's quarterback situation remains concerning.

"Not fine," Finebaum said. "This was the biggest story of the offseason with Nico leaving. Joey Aguilar from App State via UCLA is not the perfect answer. He's good, but he's not great. Nico could have been great, although he wasn't last year. Quite frankly, I don't like Tennessee's chances at a playoff at all."

Aguilar has thrown for 6,760 yards, 56 touchdowns and 24 interceptions, while maintaining a completion rate of 60.1 percent over his two seasons at Appalachian State. Additionally, he rushed for 452 yards and five touchdowns.

He now joins a more talented Tennessee team, which finished last season 10-3 record and made its first appearance in the College Football Playoff. However, the Volunteers are losing significant offensive talent, including star running back Dylan Sampson and four out of five starting offensive linemen.

Finebaum believes Aguilar may not be able to compensate for these losses, which is why he doubts Tennessee's chances of returning to the College Football Playoff this season.

Tennessee will kick off its season against the Syracuse Orange on Aug. 30 at noon ET.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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