The quarterback situation in Knoxville has been one of the most talked-about storylines of Tennessee’s offseason-and with good reason. All eyes were on head coach Josh Heupel as he navigated a position that’s not just important, but foundational to the Vols’ identity under his offensive-minded leadership.
At the heart of the conversation was whether Tennessee would dip into the transfer portal to shore up the quarterback room. Initially, it looked like Joey Aguilar was out of eligibility, which had fans and analysts alike expecting the Vols to pursue a new signal-caller.
And they did-aggressively. Tennessee made a strong push for former Arizona State quarterback Sam Leavitt, a talented prospect who drew plenty of interest across the country.
For a while, it looked like the Vols were in serious contention. But in the end, Leavitt chose to head to LSU, where he’ll now play under former Tennessee head coach Lane Kiffin.
That decision stung at the time. With Ty Simpson declaring for the NFL Draft and Beau Pribula committing to Virginia, the options were drying up fast.
Heupel and his staff appeared to be left scrambling.
But here’s the thing-sometimes the move you don’t make ends up being the right one.
Fast forward a few weeks, and the picture looks a lot different. Reports now indicate that Leavitt, still recovering from the injury that ended his 2025 season, won’t be a full participant in LSU’s spring practices. According to On3’s Shea Dixon, Leavitt will be able to throw and take part in 7-on-7 drills, but he won’t be involved in full team activities this spring.
That’s a big deal. Spring ball is critical for quarterbacks, especially those new to a program.
It’s when timing gets built, relationships with receivers are forged, and the playbook starts to feel like second nature. Missing that window can set a player back months, if not longer.
For a quarterback trying to earn a starting job in a new system, it’s far from ideal.
Meanwhile, back in Knoxville, there’s growing optimism that Joey Aguilar might not be done just yet. He currently has a temporary restraining order in place-part of the process as he seeks another year of eligibility-and there’s a real chance he could be back under center for the Vols next fall.
If that happens, it’s a game-changer.
Aguilar may not have the national hype of a five-star recruit or the intrigue of a flashy transfer, but he’s been rock-solid for Tennessee. He led the SEC in passing yards last fall and managed the offense with poise after Nico Iamaleava’s unexpected departure. He’s not just a plug-and-play option-he’s a quarterback who knows Heupel’s system inside and out.
And that continuity matters. With Aguilar potentially returning, Tennessee would not only bring back a proven starter, but also buy valuable development time for young talents like George MacIntyre and Faizon Brandon. Instead of rushing a freshman into the fire, the Vols could let their future QBs learn and grow behind a veteran presence.
When you put it all together, the narrative around Tennessee’s offseason quarterback saga has shifted dramatically. Missing out on Leavitt felt like a blow at the time. But with his spring availability limited and Aguilar’s return looking more realistic by the day, the Vols might have sidestepped a risk-and stumbled into a pretty ideal scenario instead.
Sometimes, the best moves are the ones that don’t happen. And for Tennessee, this one might just work out better than anyone expected.