Tennessee QB Joey Aguilar Overcomes Shoulder Tumor to Shine in 2025 Season

Aguilar will now look to impress NFL scouts at the Combine after being denied a final season with the Volunteers.

Published on Feb. 27, 2026

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Joey Aguilar, the talented Tennessee quarterback, recently opened up about playing through a benign tumor in his shoulder during the 2025 season. Despite the injury, Aguilar had a standout year, leading the SEC in several passing categories. He will now have the opportunity to showcase his skills at the NFL Combine as he looks to be selected in the upcoming draft.

Why it matters

Aguilar's perseverance and ability to play through injury while putting the team first is an inspiring story that resonates with sports fans. His performance in 2025 has boosted his draft stock, and his journey from dealing with a tumor to potentially being an NFL draft pick is a testament to his character and talent.

The details

Aguilar revealed that he discovered the tumor early in the 2025 season but decided to play through it, saying "if you got one time to play at Tennessee there's no backing down." He had the tumor cleaned out and is now in the early stages of his rehab, but he would have been throwing at the Combine this week if he had been able to return to Tennessee for one final season. Aguilar's 2025 campaign was impressive, as he led the SEC in several passing categories and became the second player in school history to lead the conference in passing yards per game.

  • Aguilar found the tumor early in the 2025 season.
  • Aguilar played through the injury and had a standout 2025 season for Tennessee.
  • Aguilar is currently at the NFL Combine, where he will look to impress scouts.

The players

Joey Aguilar

The talented Tennessee quarterback who played through a benign tumor in his shoulder during the 2025 season.

Tennessee Volunteers

The college football team that Aguilar played for, where he had a standout 2025 season despite his injury.

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What they’re saying

“No sir, so I had a bonign tumor in my shoulder. I had it cleaned out, and I'm early on my rehab. I would have been throwing this week if I was obviously able to stay at Tennessee, but now that I am here I will move that to next week.”

— Joey Aguilar (SI.com)

“I found it early in the season, but, you know, if you got one time to play at Tennessee there's no backing down. So you got to play through it and put the team first, and also carry it on through the season.”

— Joey Aguilar (SI.com)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

Aguilar's inspiring story of playing through a shoulder injury to lead Tennessee to a successful 2025 season has boosted his draft stock, and he will now have the opportunity to showcase his skills at the NFL Combine as he looks to be selected in the upcoming draft.