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After the sudden departure of star quarterback Nico Iamaleava to UCLA in the transfer portal, the 2025 college football season could’ve been a rough one for the Tennessee Volunteers.

Instead, in stepped Joey Aguilar, who transferred to the Vols from the Bruins when Iamaleava went the other way after spending the previous two seasons as the starter for Appalachian State.

While Tennessee didn’t have the season it hoped for, going 8-4 in the regular season and then falling to Illinois in the Music City Bowl, it can’t blame Aguilar for the lack of success.

Joey Aguilar Balled Out For Tennessee Despite Tumor In Throwing Arm

Aguilar started all 13 games this season for the Vols, completing 67.3 percent of his passes for 3,565 yards, 24 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions. He also added four scores on the ground.

Oh, and he did so while playing with a tumor in his throwing arm that was compressing his biceps tendon in his throwing arm, per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.

University of Tennessee QB Joey Aguilar had successful surgery today to remove a benign tumor that has been pushing on his biceps tendon and labrum, causing weakness and pain, sources say.

Aguilar kept the situation quiet, but handled it today. Full recovery in 8 weeks. pic.twitter.com/tvhpNk1hmJ

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 2, 2026

Thankfully, the tumor was malignant, and Aguilar underwent successful surgery on Friday to have it removed. But according to the report, Aguilar played the season through both pain and weakness in his throwing arm.

The 24-year-old is currently suing the NCAA for an extra year of eligibility after spending the start of his college football career at the Junior College level. However, he just completed his seventh season of college football (albeit with a year off due to COVID), and the expectation is that his suit will not be successful.