In a season filled with grit and determination, Tennessee's quarterback Joey Aguilar faced more than just the usual challenges on the field. Aguilar, the Vols’ starting QB, played through the 2025 season with a benign tumor that was affecting his shoulder, specifically pressing on his biceps tendon and labrum. Despite the discomfort, he kept the issue under wraps and never missed a start during his tenure in Knoxville.
Reflecting on his decision to play through the pain, Aguilar shared, “I found it early in the season. If you’ve got one time to play at Tennessee, there’s no backing down.
I just played through it. Put the team first and carried on through the season.”
His determination and team-first mentality were evident as he continued to lead the Vols without letting the ailment sideline him.
Aguilar underwent surgery on January 2 to remove the tumor, with an anticipated eight-week rehab timeline. As he steps into the spotlight at the NFL Scouting Combine, Aguilar revealed that he’s still in the early stages of his rehabilitation. This means he won’t be throwing at the combine, but he plans to resume next week and aims to showcase his skills to NFL scouts at the team’s Pro Day in late March.
“I had a benign tumor in my shoulder,” Aguilar explained. “Just got it cleaned out.
I’m early on my rehab right now, so I would’ve been throwing this week if I was obviously able to stay at Tennessee. Now that I’m here, I’ll move that to next week.”
Aguilar's journey is a testament to his resilience and commitment, qualities that NFL teams undoubtedly value. As he prepares to return to throwing, all eyes will be on his recovery and performance, eager to see how this gritty quarterback transitions to the next level.