FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Had preseason odds been placed on which two SEC quarterbacks would lead their conference in production through five games, analysts probably wouldn’t have predicted Joey Aguilar of Tennessee and Taylen Green of Arkansas.
As the 2025 season reaches its midpoint, those two names sit near the top in key passing and offensive metrics.
Aguilar has thrown for 1,459 yards and 13 touchdowns in five games, completing about 65% of his passes while tossing five interceptions.
Green’s passing numbers are nearly parallel—1,398 yards, 12 touchdowns, and five interceptions.
Where Green stands apart is on the ground: his 441 rushing yards, which rank among the SEC’s best regardless of position.
Performance under pressure
On paper, their statistical profiles are similar, but context offers a slight edge to Aguilar. In tougher matchups, he’s logged standout performances.
He nearly outdueled Georgia, completing 24-of-36 for 371 yards, four touchdowns, and two interceptions, and added a rushing score.
In another contest, he delivered 335 yards and led a critical late drive in a win over Mississippi State.
Aguilar’s season splits reflect a high ceiling: through five games, he has totaled 1,517 yards of offense, with 58 rushing yards and 1,459 passing yards.
Against ranked teams, though, his numbers dip. In Tennessee’s loss to Georgia, his rushing contribution was negative eight yards.
Still, Aguilar’s adaptation to Tennessee’s offense has drawn praise; his clean decision-making and consistency have elevated his profile.
Green, meanwhile, blends dual-threat ability with high-volume passing. Arkansas usage charts show he’s averaging 88.2 yards per game rushing, over 10 carries per game.
In SEC play and difficult nonconference games, he’s shown flashes of brilliance—and vulnerability. In contests versus Memphis and Notre Dame, Green combined for just one touchdown and three interceptions.
But in earlier games, Green lit up opposing defenses. In Arkansas’ season opener, he threw for 322 yards and six touchdowns while running for 41 yards.
Against Ole Miss, he ran 115 yards and added a passing touchdown.
Trajectory, risk and outlook
Consistency vs. explosiveness is the emerging storyline.
Aguilar’s steadier output, especially in key games, gives him an advantage in comparative assessments. Tennessee’s offense has rallied around his accuracy, timing, and poise under pressure.
Green’s appeal lies in upside. His rushing ability forces defenses to account for him in the box, opening passing lanes.
But turnover risk has cropped up in tougher matchups, and Arkansas’ offensive and defensive support has been inconsistent.
Should he find more balance and limit mistakes, his ceiling remains high.
As the season continues—and with a head-to-head matchup looming—the SEC’s quarterback conversation may increasingly orbit these two unexpected leaders.
Key takeaways
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Joey Aguilar and Taylen Green now lead SEC quarterback production through five games via high passing yardage and scoring.
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Aguilar’s edge comes in pressure games, while Green’s dual-threat rushing presents unique matchup challenges.
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Sustainability and turnover control will likely determine which QB carries momentum into the season’s second half.
