Appalachian State fans now know Joey Aguilar as the record-setting starting quarterback for the Mountaineers, but Aguilar’s path wasn’t always smooth. The 6’3″ gunslinger didn’t have any big-time offers coming out of high school in California.
So how did Aguilar go from no offers to leading one of the best Group of Five schools in the nation while setting school records for the Mountaineers?
Aguilar Just Wanted To Continue His Football Career Beyond High School
Joey Aguilar was born in Antioch, Calif., and attended Freedom High School.
During his high school career, Aguilar completed 336 of 552 pass attempts, amassing 5,575 yards and 59 touchdowns while throwing only 14 interceptions. He also contributed on the ground, rushing for 151 yards and four touchdowns, showcasing his dual-threat ability.
Despite the numbers at Freedom, Aguilar wasn’t recruited by any major college football programs.
Determined to continue his football career, he enrolled at Diablo Valley College to play at the junior college level. Despite the setback, Aguilar’s ultimate goal remained clear: to prove himself and eventually play at a higher level.
At Diablo Valley, Joey Aguilar completed 228 of 379 pass attempts, racking up 2,992 yards and 21 touchdowns, though he also threw 10 interceptions. Additionally, Aguilar showcased his mobility, rushing for 619 yards and two touchdowns.
Aguilar’s success at the junior college level earned him recognition as a three-star recruit, attracting interest from several programs.
After visiting Boone, Aguilar committed to Appalachian State on Dec. 20, 2022, and officially enrolled in February to begin his career with the Mountaineers.
From Backup to Record-Setting Quarterback
After losing a tight offseason competition, Aguilar was named the backup quarterback as he lost the starting job to redshirt freshman Ryan Burger, who was named the starting quarterback for the season opener.
Burger started the season for App State, completing 11 of 17 passes for 113 yards and one touchdown before suffering a season-ending finger injury in the first half against Gardner-Webb.
Trailing in the game and with Burger sidelined, the Mountaineers turned to Aguilar. The California native made his FBS debut memorably, as his first pass resulted in a 32-yard touchdown.
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The JUCO transfer went on to have a record-breaking year.
Aguilar completed 293 of 460 pass attempts, racking up 3,757 passing yards, 33 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions while adding 249 rushing yards and three scores on the ground. His impressive numbers broke App State’s single-season records for passing yards and touchdown passes, cementing his place in the program’s history.
Aguilar’s 33 touchdown passes ranked fourth in all of FBS, trailing only elite quarterbacks such as Bo Nix, Heisman Trophy winner Jayden Daniels, and Michael Penix Jr.
His ability to command the offense and make big plays earned Aguilar several honors, including Cure Bowl MVP, Sun Belt Newcomer of the Year, and an All-Sun Belt Second Team spot.
Starting 12 of 13 games in 2023, Aguilar led the Mountaineers to success and showcased his potential as a top-tier quarterback. His chemistry with offensive coordinator Frank Ponce and leadership on the field guided App State through a memorable season, making Aguilar one of the most exciting quarterbacks in college football.
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