Tennessee quarterback Joey Aguilar made a historic statement in his SEC debut. He delivered one of the most impressive performances Neyland Stadium has seen in years. Against Kirby Smart’s No. 3 Georgia, Aguilar went 14-for-14 in the first quarter alone, piling up 213 yards and accounting for three touchdowns.
The Vols stormed to a 21-7 lead early, highlighted by Aguilar’s 72-yard strike to Chris Brazzell. The wideout hauled in four passes for 106 yards in the opening frame, showcasing instant chemistry with his quarterback. Aguilar also added a 4-yard rushing touchdown to start the scoring.
By game’s end, Aguilar had 371 passing yards and four touchdowns, matching Peyton Manning’s 1996 mark for the most passing yards by a Tennessee quarterback against Georgia. However, the Vols ultimately fell short, 44-41, in overtime despite Aguilar’s breakout effort, which most certainly signaled a bright future for Tennessee’s offense.
What Did Joey Aguilar Say About the Spotlight and Peyton Manning’s Mentorship?
With his rapid rise, Aguilar was recently asked about handling the fame that comes with being Tennessee’s starting signal-caller, a role legendPeyton Manning elevated into near-celebrity status.
“You know, they just stay true to where I come from. Don’t get too high and just stay grounded. It’s a blessing to be in this position,” Aguilar said when asked how he manages the spotlight.
That spotlight has also come with unique mentorship opportunities. Aguilar revealed that Peyton Manning remains a steady presence for current Tennessee quarterbacks.
“To have a guy like Peyton Manning, you know, he’ll shoot me a text, hop on a phone call, just give me some advice and just tell me good luck, congratulations, stuff like that. It’s awesome. And it’s truly a blessing.”
Aguilar added that his family has embraced the moment as well. “My family, they’re super excited. They’re probably a little more viral than me right now. They’re all over social media. But it’s awesome. Everybody just got to stay levelheaded and just enjoy it.”
Peyton Manning’s Continued Support
Manning himself has been visible around the program this season, even appearing on the sidelines before Tennessee’s showdown with Georgia. Speaking on The Mike Keith Show on August 28, 2025, he shared the advice he recently gave Aguilar ahead of his first start.
“My advice to Joey was don’t try to do too much,” Manning said. “Don’t feel like you have to go and make some incredible… to justify that you’ve been named the starting quarterback.
He added, “Go be Joey. Take the check down, run, throw it away. Nobody’s going to criticize you for throwing it away on third down if nobody’s open.”
Manning carried this philosophy throughout his Hall of Fame career, and Aguilar appears eager to adopt it.
Aguilar’s early-season performances have already earned national recognition. He was recently named one of eight “Stars of the Week” by the Manning Award, sponsored by the Allstate Sugar Bowl, after his strong performance in his Tennessee debut against Syracuse.
Now, the Vols (2-1) will step outside of SEC play to host UAB on September 20. With Neyland Stadium already sold out, Aguilar has another opportunity to showcase his consistency and growth.
While Saturday’s loss to Georgia was a setback in the standings, Aguilar’s emergence suggests Tennessee may have found the field general capable of leading them back into the national spotlight.
With Peyton Manning in his corner and a chance to build on a historic start, Aguilar’s next chapter could define not just his season but the trajectory of the Volunteers’ program moving forward, with a matchup that may elevate Josh Heupel’s program’s standing but also can provide additional confidence to their growing offense.
