Urban Meyer Issues Warning on New SEC Quarterback

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Dibyendu Mondal | Last updated May 9, 2025 1:54 PM ET

The Tennessee Volunteers acquired Joey Aguilar, a former UCLA quarterback, who played for the App State Mountaineers in 2024. He replaces Nico Iamaleava, Josh Heupel’s previous star signal-caller, after Iamaleava decided to leave. However, Urban Meyer, the former Ohio State and Florida head coach, believes the Vols are “screwed” under center.

After reviewing film of Joey Aguilar, Meyer reiterated that the transition from the Sun Belt to the SEC accelerates every element of the position on Wednesday during The Triple Option podcast.

“I love Appy State, but the reality is you’re stepping in the SEC,” he said. “So everybody’s at least a step, maybe at most positions, two steps faster. And when you have 24 interceptions, that’s about one per game. That’s way too many. And those interceptions now … the windows just are so much tighter. I will go back on record again (with) saying (that) Tennessee is screwed.”

Meyer believes that losing Nico Iamaleava, a proven quarterback at this stage of the game, will have detrimental effects this fall at the start of the season.

Aguilar, a 6-foot-3, 220-pound senior out of Freedom High School in California, arrived in Knoxville on April 22 after a brief stint at UCLA, following two productive seasons at Appalachian State.

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In 2024 at App State, he completed 56 percent of his throws for 3,003 yards, 23 touchdowns and 14 interceptions, also rushing for 207 yards and two scores.

Tennessee coach Josh Heupel has spoken favorably of Aguilar’s leadership and deep experience in multiple offensive systems, but the Vols’ spring transfer haul underscores the depth concerns at quarterback.

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

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