Joey Aguilar NFL Draft update: Tennessee QB details shoulder injury, confirms Pro Day plan originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
While he may have initially been disappointed that another year of eligibility was not granted, Joey Aguilar did not sound like someone stuck on what could have been at the NFL Combine. In Indianapolis, he sounded locked in, calm and fully ready to embrace what comes next.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisement“I can put my all focus into that,” Aguilar said when asked about shifting his attention completely toward the NFL.
What followed was the bigger headline. Aguilar revealed he played last season with a benign tumor in his shoulder and bicep, a condition that created tightness, weakness and a burning sensation that flared up throughout the year.
“Some games are better than others,” he admitted. “Definitely my arm was weaker going into a lot of games last year.”
He discovered the issue early in the season. Sitting out never crossed his mind.
“If you’ve got one time to play at Tennessee, there’s no backing down.”
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementAguilar described how the tumor pulled on his bicep and pec, making his arm feel tight and aggravated with the volume of throws required during games and practice. Rest and rehab became part of his weekly rhythm, even as he continued leading the offense.
The toughness shows up on film. Aguilar pointed to throws against Arkansas and Alabama where he absorbed contact and delivered downfield.
“My willingness to sit in the pocket and throw the ball while there’s pressure on my face and taking a hit,” he said. “When things break down, find my guy open and go ahead and throw the ball.”
He believes Tennessee’s offensive adjustments this season helped prepare him for the next level.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisement“If you go back and watch film, we went a lot more pro style offense with progression reads and things like that,” Aguilar said. “I’m prepared.”
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His journey from junior college to App State, a brief stop at UCLA and then Tennessee required him to learn multiple playbooks in limited timeframes.
“Just shows how well I can learn and how well I take that preparation seriously,” he said. “Wherever I go, I would dedicate, put my nose down and get that playbook down as best as I can.”
Faith remains central to his perspective. Aguilar referenced Proverbs about trusting the Lord with all your heart and leaning not on your own understanding, a verse he said has guided him through uncertainty and adversity.
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There is also a lighter side that does not always show up in scouting reports.
“Off the field, people don’t know I like to laugh,” he said. “I could laugh for hours with the right people.”
Now the attention turns to March 31, when Tennessee will hold its Pro Day. Aguilar previously said he plans on throwing as he continues progressing through rehab.
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“Possibly plan on throwing Pro Day March 31.”
The eligibility fight did not go his way and the courtroom moment, as he described it, was unique, but at the Combine there was no bitterness in his voice, only focus, as the former Tennessee quarterback made it clear he is ready for the next level.
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