App State QB Joey Aguilar shines, proves detractors wrong

Maybe because of his last name, Appalachian State quarterback Joey Aguilar went unnoticed in the eyes of many recruiters. He’s heard it all. Since high school he’s been told he’s too small or too skinny. Some detractors claimed he wasn’t mobile enough to excel at the next level under center.

Aguilar kept proving people wrong and validating what his parents and family members already knew. At Freedom High School in Oakley, Calif., Aguilar threw for 5,575 yards and 59 touchdowns. He was named First-Team All-Bay 6 two years in the row.

Although his accolades were similar to many five-star and four-star recruits, the Antioch, Calif., native was regarded as a three-star recruit with no offers. 

Often lost in the shadows of the thousands of college recruits, Aguilar knew he had to outwork those who stood in front of him. He dedicated all his free time to football. He saw how much better he was than some of the highly-touted prospects, so he did everything in his power to reveal his potential. 

“Growing up I was always overlooked but always worked hard,” Aguilar said. “I just had that mindset that I deserve more for myself. When I see all these people that I believe I am better than getting scholarships to these programs, I just take that as accountability for myself that I am not doing something right and I should be doing more.”

JUCO Product

Aguilar, 22, continued his football career at Diablo Valley Community College in Pleasant Hill, Calif. After an injury to the starting quarterback in his freshman year, the 6-foot-3 signal caller  took advantage of his opportunity and took over the quarterback role. He showed great promise early. He threw 13 touchdowns in 10 games. 

Aguilar, who has a Mexican American dad and Puerto Rican mom, was the starter the following year and continued to excel. However his last chance to convince recruiters he could compete in Division I football took a turn as he suffered an injury in his last year in JUCO.

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The threat to his football career lingered in the back of his mind. He didn’t have any offers secured when the injury happened. Nonetheless, he rallied behind his family, coaches and teammates who didn’t allow him to break his underdog mentality. 

“My biggest obstacle was coming back from that injury and putting numbers up within a couple of games,” Aguilar said. “Being with the guys just helped take my mind off things. Being with them, it was like, ‘I’m not hurt, I’m just out right now and I’ll be back.’”

Record-breaker

Joey Aguilar received an offer from Appalachian State to be their starting quarterback in 2023. As a junior, the 220-pound signal caller surpassed expectations. He set the school record for most touchdown passes in a debut for a quarterback.

In his first year with the Mountaineers he broke six single-season records at App State. He now holds the records for most passing yards (3,757), touchdowns (33), total offense (4,002), 13 200-yard passing games, 293 completions, and 460 total pass attempts. 

The 2023 Sun Belt Newcomer of the Year upset an undefeated James Madison 26-23 in overtime. Aguilar threw for 318 yards and three touchdowns. Equally important, his parents are proud to say, Joey Aguilar is on pace to become the first member of their immediate family to graduate from college.

Aguilar’s parents, Jose and Lydia Aguilar, are high school sweethearts. They were teen parents who worked diligently to raise their children and support their kids’ extra-curricular activities and sports. Jose Aguilar proudly coached Joey from an early.

So Joey’s success comes to no surprise to his parents, Jose and Lydia Aguilar. Although Joey initially wanted to be a running back, his father saw the potential in his son early on. Jose is adamant that Joey could throw the football exceptionally great for a seven-year-old. 

“We are happy for him because he has always been the underdog,” Jose Aguilar said. “It gets frustrating that we know his potential. Now that he’s able to show the world it feels great for him.”

Having Latino roots is important for Aguilar. His father is a first-generation Mexican American, and his mother is Puerto Rican. Aguilar wears his flags with pride and isn’t shy of expressing who he is. 

Positive influence

There aren’t many Latino football players much less quarterbacks. The 2023 Cure Bowl MVP  knows his platform can inspire the next generation of football players. He often helps his father coach youth football. Joey Aguilar remembers the kids in awe when he stops by practice.

He enjoys fostering relationships with the children. Joey strives to be a positive influence on the kids. 

“It’s awesome. Hispanic quarterbacks there aren’t many out there.” Joey Aguilar said. “To go out there and represent is amazing. Especially for the younger kids seeing a Hispanic quarterback and they’re Hispanic as well. Growing up they can be like ‘Dang, that’s awesome.I want to be like that one day.’

“It’s a blessing. I am doing it for a reason, and God has a plan for me to show everyone to pursue dreams.” 

Aguilar will be the first of his immediate family to graduate from college this May. As Aguilar’s collegiate football career comes to a near end, he aims to make an impact in the NFL. He also hopes to inspire as many people as he can along the way, especially the future Latino athletes.