The Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Educational Foundation announced Tuesday afternoon that Tennessee senior quarterback Joey Aguilar was named to the 2025 preseason watch list for the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award, presented annually to the top senior or upperclassman quarterback who is on track to graduate with their class.
The signal caller from Antioch, California, is one of 58 quarterbacks on the list, including one of 13 from the Southeastern Conference.
Aguilar will make his 25th FBS start when the Vols open the 2025 campaign in Atlanta against Syracuse on Saturday, Aug. 30. He enters the season as the FBS active career leader in total offense per game (288.5, minimum 2,500 yards) and ranks second in passing yards per game (270.4, minimum 5,000 yards).
Recently named UT’s starting quarterback by head coach Josh Heupel, Aguilar arrived on Rocky Top in the summer of 2025 after spending the previous two seasons at App State. In 25 games with the Mountaineers, he completed 511-of-850 passes (60.0 percent) for 6,760 yards and 56 touchdowns, both ranking fifth in App State program history.
Now in its 39th year, the Golden Arm Award continues to honor excellence both on and off the field. The award is presented by the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Educational Foundation in partnership with A. O. Smith Corporation, whose mission aligns with the Foundation’s commitment to advancing the game of football while promoting character, leadership, and academic achievement among young athletes.
As the 2025 college football season unfolds, the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award watch list will be narrowed to semifinalists and finalists before one standout quarterback will take home the award in December. The winner will be celebrated at the annual Golden Arm Award ceremony at the Four Seasons Hotel in Johnny Unitas’ hometown of Baltimore—an unforgettable night honoring leadership, legacy, and the best in college football.
2025 Tennessee Football Preseason Honors
Head Coach Josh Heupel
Dodd Trophy Watch List
Joey Aguilar, QB, Sr.
Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award Watch List
DeSean Bishop, RB, R-So.
Doak Walker Award Watch List
Fourth Team All-SEC (Athlon)
Arion Carter, LB, Jr.
Bednarik Award Watch List
Butkus Award Watch List
Second Team All-SEC (Athlon)
Third Team All-SEC (Media)
Boo Carter, DB, So.
Third Team All-SEC (Media)
Fourth Team All-SEC (Athlon)
Bryson Eason, DL, R-Sr.
Allstate Wuerffel Trophy Watch List
Allstate/AFCA Good Works Team Nominee
Third Team All-SEC (Athlon)
Rickey Gibson III, DB, Jr.
Third Team All-SEC (Athlon)
Max Gilbert, PK, R-So.
Lou Groza Award Watch List
Lance Heard, OL, Jr.
Fourth Team All-SEC (Athlon)
Joshua Josephs, DL, Sr.
Second Team All-SEC (Athlon)
Miles Kitselman, TE, R-Sr.
Mackey Award Watch List
Fourth Team All-SEC (Athlon)
Jermod McCoy, DB, Jr.
Bednarik Award Watch List
Nagurski Trophy Watch List
Jim Thorpe Award Watch List
Lott IMPACT Trophy Watch List
First Team All-American (Athlon, ESPN, PFF, Sporting News, Walter Camp)
First Team All-SEC (Athlon, Media)
Jaxson Moi, DL, Sr.
Polynesian College Player of the Year Award Watch List
Jackson Ross, P, R-Jr.
Fourth Team All-SEC (Athlon)
Star Thomas, RB, Sr.
Doak Walker Award Watch List
