Nick Saban describes Joey Aguilar of Tennessee football as “exceptional.”

“Executing Excellence”: Nick Saban Raves Over Joey Aguilar’s Emergence in Tennessee

In a college football world where big names, recruiting hype, and athletics often dominate the spotlight, it’s the quieter, more nuanced skills — decision-making, poise, precision — that sometimes separate the good quarterbacks from the exceptional. That’s the distinction former Alabama head coach Nick Saban made this week when speaking about Joey Aguilar, the Tennessee Volunteers’ quarterback, calling him “exceptional” when it comes to executing Josh Heupel’s offense.

A Fresh Spotlight for Aguilar

Joey Aguilar didn’t arrive at Tennessee as the flashiest recruit or the most highly touted dual-threat signal-caller. His journey includes stints at junior college, then Appalachian State, where he impressed enough to garner Sun Belt honors. But the SEC — and the expectations that come with playing quarterback under Heupel in Knoxville — is a different level.

Heading into 2025, Aguilar was thrust into a spotlight few had expected him to inhabit so quickly. After Nico Iamaleava transferred away, Aguilar won the starting job in fall camp. For many, this would represent a chance to showcase arm strength, playmaking, and mobility; for Aguilar, it has also meant showing mastery of the system, smart reads, and above all, consistency.

Saban’s Praise: What He Said, and Why It Matters

Speaking on The Pat McAfee Show, Saban offered a striking endorsement of Aguilar. He said:

“I think Josh Heupel does a great job with the offense. And I think Joey Aguilar does a great job of executing the offense. He actually executes the offense, to me, a little better than even Nico (Iamaleava) did. Now, Nico is a better athlete; he can run faster and all that. But when it comes to accuracy and decision-making, Joey Aguilar does a really good job. And that’s important for Josh Heupel’s offense.”

Saban went further, calling Aguilar “exceptional” in his capacity to execute Tennessee’s offense. That’s high praise coming from a coach known for his emphasis on discipline, structure, and the mental side of playing quarterback. Execution isn’t flashy, but it’s what sustains winning programs.

What Saban is highlighting:

Decision-making over pure athleticism. Aguilar might not be as naturally explosive as some other QBs, but if his decisions are better — whether in reading defenses, avoiding risky throws, hitting timing routes, or choosing when to tuck and run — that can make all the difference.

Accuracy. Given that Heupel’s offense includes many RPOs (run-pass options), advantage throws, and built-in decision points, precision in throwing is essential. Saban notes Aguilar’s accuracy as being a plus.

Composure and system knowledge. Execution often comes down to knowing where to go with the ball, working through progressions, and making reads under pressure. Aguilar has been praised for settling into those roles quickly at Tennessee.

Performance So Far: The Proof in the Numbers

Saban’s praise is not just talk — there’s statistical and on-field evidence behind it. Through his first two games for the Volunteers, Aguilar threw for 535 passing yards and five touchdowns without turning the ball over.

• Debut vs. Syracuse: Aguilar threw for three touchdowns, showing poise in a significant opener.
• Backup time vs. East Tennessee State: He added two more touchdowns, continuing to execute cleanly and efficiently.

These performances have not only validated Heupel’s decision to make Aguilar the starter but also started building confidence among Tennessee fans and analysts about the durability and sustainability of this offense under Aguilar’s leadership.

What This Means for Tennessee and the SEC

Saban’s appraisal does more than flatter Aguilar — it frames an expectation and a challenge. When a coach of Saban’s stature says someone is doing “exceptional” work, it sets the bar for how people evaluate the rest of the season.

Here are some of the implications:

1. Heightened expectations. Tennessee will now be judged not just on raw wins and losses, but on whether Aguilar continues to show those traits: decision-making, low turnover, accurate throws, and ability to execute under pressure. SEC defenses are unforgiving; they force mistakes. If Aguilar minimizes those, Tennessee has a chance in many ballgames.
2. Defensive matchups matter more. Aguilar’s strength is executing the offense, which includes built-in reads and advantage throws. If defenses can take those away, force him into mistakes or bad bets, it could expose the offense. Saban hinted that upcoming games (for example, vs. Georgia) will be real tests.
3. Recruiting and depth implications. Aguilar’s success puts pressure on Tennessee to maintain consistency at the QB position. Younger or backup QBs will be measured against what Aguilar is doing. Also, it helps Tennessee’s recruiting narrative when you have a transfer or non-blue-chip QB proving himself in the SEC.
4. Balance remains essential. Saban also warned that offense alone won’t win everything. He pointed out that Tennessee still needs solid defensive work. You can’t outscore everyone forever if the defense is giving up chunks.

Challenges Ahead: The Real Test Is Now

Saban’s praise, while deserved, does not guarantee future success. Several obstacles remain:

Stronger opponents. Tennessee’s schedule includes games against elite defenses. Teams like Georgia are not just faster, they are disciplined and familiar with Tennessee’s tendencies. Aguilar will need to manage those games with poise, often under pressure.

Avoiding turnovers and mistakes. College football can turn on one interception, one sack, one misread. Aguilar’s clean start is promising, but even the best quarterbacks have games where execution slips. How he responds in adversity will define his growth.

Sustaining accuracy and decision-making under tempo and stress. Heupel’s offense is designed to push tempo, force defenses into quick decisions. When the pressure rises (crowd noise, blitzes, tight windows), those are times when accuracy and mental toughness matter most.

Supporting cast matters. Offensive line play, receivers getting open, running game performance—all of these affect a quarterback’s ability to execute. If the blocking falters, or the skill players drop passes or fail to create separation, Aguilar will be forced to compensate. That can lead to riskier decisions.

Why Saban’s Word Carries Weight

Nick Saban is not one to dish praise lightly. For decades, he’s been known for exacting standards, for building teams where execution and discipline are cornerstones. When he says a quarterback is doing something “a little better” than someone else, especially someone like Iamaleava who had his own hype and athletic gifts, that is significant.

Moreover, Saban’s perspective isn’t just about what Aguilar can do now — he seems to see potential for long-term growth. When a player shows up in the SEC with a maturity in decision-making and grasp of system, that suggests he can be a difference-maker across multiple big games.

Conclusion: A Promising Rise, But No Finish Line Yet

Joey Aguilar’s journey to this moment has been anything but guaranteed. From junior college, through solid play at Appalachian State, to stepping into a high-pressure role at Tennessee, he’s worked at each level and earned his position. Nick Saban’s praise — calling Aguilar “exceptional” in execution, decision making, and accuracy — is more than praise: it’s affirmation that Aguilar is doing more than enough early to quiet skeptics and build belief.

However, as much as this moment is worthy of celebration, it also represents a crossroads. Aguilar must sustain performance when game scripts go south, when defenses are faster and trickier, when pressure mounts. He must balance confidence with prudence, take chances when they matter and mitigate risk when they don’t. Tennessee’s success as a whole will hinge not just on Aguilar’s arm or poise, but on how this offense gels, how the defense responds, and how the team handles what SEC football brings week after week.

In the end, Saban’s words may do more than flatter — they set a standard. Whether Aguilar fully meets it remains to be seen, but if his first two games are any indication, he’s off to a promising start. For Tennessee fans, it’s a reason to believe. For Aguilar, it’s a reminder: the real work begins now.