ESPN SHOCKER: Tennessee Volunteers QB Joey Aguila Stuns College Football World — Declines $4.5M NIL Deal from Georgia to Succeed Carson Beck! Already Secured $2.1M in December, But Chooses Loyalty to the Vols Over Bigger Payday — A Bold Move in Today’s Chaotic NIL Landscape!
In a college football era dominated by high-stakes NIL deals and last-minute flips, Tennessee Volunteers quarterback Joey Aguila has just pulled off one of the most jaw-dropping moves of the year—and not because he chased a bigger payday. Instead, he turned it down.
According to an ESPN insider, Aguila shockingly declined a $4.5 million NIL offer from the Georgia Bulldogs, who hoped to bring him in as the heir to Carson Beck. The offer would have made him one of the highest-paid players in the country. But Aguila—who already secured a $2.1 million deal with Tennessee in December—said no to the money and yes to Rocky Top.
Sources close to the quarterback say it wasn’t an easy decision, but it was a heartfelt one. “He wants to build something special at Tennessee,” a team insider shared. “He believes in Coach Heupel’s vision, the locker room, and the fans.”
Aguila’s decision comes as a rare and refreshing twist in a time where NIL money is rewriting recruiting scripts daily. His choice has sent a wave of respect—and disbelief—across social media, with fans and analysts applauding the sophomore’s loyalty and maturity.
“Joey Aguila just became the face of what college football used to be about—team, loyalty, grit, and legacy,” one ESPN commentator said.
With Aguila locked in, Tennessee’s future is brighter than ever. And in a world full of transfers and transactions, his bold stand may just redefine what it means to be True to the Orange.
