VFL Joey Aguilar’s Electric Game 2 Leaves Doubters Speechless
Undrafted but Unstoppable: How Joey Aguilar Is Turning Heads with the Jacksonville Jaguars
Who Is Joey Aguilar?
Imagine working your whole life for a dream job, doing everything right, and still not getting picked when the big draft day arrives. That’s exactly what happened to Joey Aguilar.
- He’s a quarterback (the player who throws the football).
- He played one season at the University of Tennessee (Go Vols!).
- Before that, he played two years at Appalachian State and two years at junior college.
- He was a Volunteer For Life (VFL) — that’s what Tennessee calls its former players.
Important Point: Even though he led the entire SEC (that’s the Southeastern Conference — one of the toughest leagues in college football) in passing yards last season, no NFL team drafted him. Not in the first round. Not in the last round. He had to sign as an undrafted free agent (UDFA) with the Jacksonville Jaguars.
The Road to the NFL: A Winding Path
Joey’s journey wasn’t a straight line. Here’s how it went:
- Junior College (2 years) — Started small, built his skills.
- Appalachian State (2 years) — Got better, got noticed.
- Transferred to UCLA — Thought he’d play there.
- Nico Iamaleava beat him out at UCLA — So he entered the transfer portal again.
- Landed at Tennessee — Only had spring practice to learn the playbook.
- One amazing season at UT — Threw for 3,565 yards, 24 touchdowns, 10 interceptions, and led the Vols to an 8-5 record.
- 2026 NFL Draft — Zero teams called his name.
- Signed with the Jaguars — As an undrafted rookie, fighting for a roster spot.
Preseason Breakout: "He’s Not Afraid of the Moment"
Preseason games are like practice tests before the real NFL season starts. They don’t count in the standings, but they matter a lot for players trying to make the team.
Game 1: A Taste of Action
- 1 pass attempt
- Completed it for 43 yards
- Not bad for a first snap!
Game 2: The Real Showstopper (vs. Carolina Panthers)
| Stat | Number |
|---|---|
| Completions / Attempts | 9 / 10 |
| Passing Yards | 130 |
| Touchdowns | 1 |
| Yards per Completion | 13.0 (best of all 6 QBs who played) |
| Team-High Passer? | Yes |
Key Takeaway: Aguilar didn’t just play safe. He threw deep, fit passes into tight windows, and played with confidence. As the article says: "Some undrafted rookies might get timid… but Aguilar is out there doing what he does best."
Total Preseason So Far
- 10 of 11 passes completed (that’s 90.9%!)
- 173 yards
- 1 touchdown
- Zero interceptions
What’s Next? One More Chance to Shine
The Jaguars have one more preseason game. That’s one more shot for Aguilar to prove he belongs on the 53-man roster (the official team).
If he keeps:
- Throwing accurately
- Taking smart risks (not reckless ones)
- Showing that big arm without turnovers
…he could follow in the footsteps of VFL Joe Milton III, who also impressed in the preseason and earned a spot.
Important Point: Making an NFL roster as an undrafted QB is incredibly hard. But Aguilar has upside, experience, and a chip on his shoulder the size of a boulder.
Summary
- Joey Aguilar = Former Tennessee QB, lifelong underdog.
- Path: JUCO → App State → UCLA (didn’t play) → Tennessee (1 great year) → Undrafted → Jaguars UDFA.
- Preseason Stats: 10/11, 173 yds, 1 TD, 0 INTs — best yards/completion among all QBs.
- Style: Fearless, deep-ball thrower, calm under pressure.
- Outlook: One game left to lock down a roster spot. He’s in the mix.
FAQ: Your Questions, Answered Simply
What does "VFL" mean?
Volunteer For Life — a nickname for anyone who played sports at the University of Tennessee.
What’s an "undrafted free agent" (UDFA)?
A player who wasn’t picked in the NFL Draft but gets signed afterward. They start at the bottom of the depth chart and have to fight for a spot.
Why do preseason games matter if they don’t count?
They’re the only real game film coaches have on rookies. It’s like a job interview where you actually do the work.
What’s "yards per completion"?
Total passing yards ÷ completed passes. High number = big plays downfield. Aguilar’s 13.0 was tops among all QBs in that game.
Who is Nico Iamaleava?
A highly touted quarterback who committed to UCLA, then transferred to Tennessee — pushing Aguilar out of UCLA and eventually to UT. Small world!
Stay tuned to Rocky Top Insider for more on Joey Aguilar and all things Tennessee Football!