Josh Heupel has a new starting quarterback for his 24th-ranked Tennessee Volunteers, with Joey Aguilar coming through the transfer portal to earn the job for the season opener.

Jake Merklinger, a Savannah, Georgia native, served as Tennessee’s third string quarterback during his first season and went through spring ball earning a red shirt.

Joey Aguilar has won Tennessee’s quarterback competition. The former Appalachian State quarterback and UCLA transfer beat out redshirt freshman Jake Merklinger and true freshman George MacIntyre for the starting spot.

Outside of his family and time spent on the field, Merklinger said he likes to give back, especially now that he has access to name, image and likeness money.

Tennessee football coach Josh Heupel may have trimmed the quarterback competition from three players to two. Here's what he said.