Tennessee Quarterback Joey Aguilar Wins Key Legal Battle Against NCAA

Tennessee quarterback Joey Aguilar is once again at the center of the college football spotlight, but this time it’s not because of his arm strength or on-field heroics. Instead, Aguilar’s future with the Volunteers now hinges on a legal battle with the NCAA over his eligibility—a fight that could have ripple effects across the sport and set a new precedent for former junior college athletes hoping to extend their collegiate careers.

On February 4, 2026, Chancellor Christopher D. Heagerty of the Knox County Chancery Court granted Aguilar a 15-day temporary restraining order (TRO) against the NCAA. The decision prevents the NCAA from restricting Aguilar’s eligibility as he seeks a more permanent injunction that would allow him to suit up for Tennessee in the 2026 season. This legal maneuver marks the latest chapter in a saga that’s seen Aguilar, now 25, navigate a winding path through junior college football, Division I play, and a contentious eligibility dispute.

Aguilar’s journey began with a redshirt season at City College of San Francisco in 2019, followed by a lost 2020 campaign when the COVID-19 pandemic forced the cancellation of junior college football. He then played two seasons at Diablo Valley College in California (2021-22), before transferring to Appalachian State for the 2023 and 2024 seasons. In 2025, Aguilar made his mark at Tennessee, completing 67.3% of his passes for 3,565 yards—good for third in single-season school history—while tossing 24 touchdowns and rushing for four more. He led the SEC in passing yards per game, guiding the Volunteers to an 8-5 record and solidifying his reputation as one of the conference’s most reliable quarterbacks.

But Aguilar’s time in the NCAA could be cut short due to a rule that counts junior college seasons against the four-year eligibility limit for Division I football. Aguilar and his legal team argue that this rule unfairly penalizes athletes who begin their careers outside the NCAA, limiting both their playing opportunities and, crucially, their ability to earn compensation through Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals. According to court filings, Aguilar’s return to Tennessee for the 2026 season could be worth approximately $2 million in NIL compensation.

The urgency of Aguilar’s situation is palpable. With spring practice set to begin on March 16 and the NFL Draft looming, Aguilar’s complaint stresses the need for a swift resolution. “(Aguilar) cannot wait much longer to know whether he is eligible to play college football in 2026,” the complaint states. “If the answer is no, he must turn his full attention to preparing for the NFL draft, a detailed process that takes months of preparation. And if the answer is yes, Aguilar needs to be throwing with his receivers, joining spring practice in March, and otherwise preparing to be the starting quarterback for a major SEC football program.”

Chancellor Heagerty’s ruling in favor of the TRO was based on four key considerations: Aguilar’s substantial likelihood of success on the merits of his claim that the NCAA’s “JUCO rule” violates the Tennessee Trade Practices Act; the immediate and irreparable injury Aguilar would suffer if the order were not issued; the balance of harms favoring Aguilar, since the relief applies only to him and the NCAA faces no significant harm; and the time-sensitive nature of the case, with Aguilar’s career opportunities hanging in the balance.

Aguilar’s legal battle is not occurring in a vacuum. His case echoes—and in some ways diverges from—that of Diego Pavia, the former Vanderbilt quarterback who sued the NCAA in November 2024 over the same eligibility rule. Pavia secured a preliminary injunction that allowed him to play the 2025 season, finishing second in Heisman Trophy voting. The NCAA, while appealing the Pavia ruling, issued a blanket waiver granting an extra year of eligibility to former junior college players in similar situations. Pavia has since declared for the NFL Draft, but his lawsuit continues, with more than 25 plaintiffs awaiting a federal court hearing scheduled for February 10.

Aguilar initially joined Pavia’s federal suit but withdrew in January 2026 to pursue his own case in Tennessee state court, focusing narrowly on his specific circumstances. “This outcome—after the plaintiff withdrew from a federal lawsuit and separately filed a lawsuit in state court with the exact same facts—illustrates the impossible situation created by differing court decisions that serve to undermine rules agreed to by the same NCAA members who later challenge them in court,” the NCAA said in a statement. “We will continue to defend the NCAA’s eligibility rules against repeated attempts to rob high school students of the opportunity to compete in college and experience the life-changing opportunities only college sports can create.” The NCAA also stressed the need for Congressional action, arguing that “the patchwork of state laws and inconsistent, conflicting court decisions make partnering with Congress essential to provide stability for all college athletes.”

The stakes for Tennessee football are high. Without Aguilar, the Volunteers would likely turn to redshirt freshman George MacIntyre, five-star freshman Faizon Brandon, or Colorado transfer Ryan Staub to fill the void at quarterback. None of these options offer the combination of experience and proven production that Aguilar brings. “If the Court granted Aguilar relief from the NCAA’s JUCO rule in the near term, Tennessee has a spot for him on the roster and would welcome him back,” reads the complaint, as reported by the Knoxville News Sentinel.

Aguilar is already enrolled at Tennessee for the spring semester, which began January 20, 2026. This administrative detail could help expedite his return to the field if his eligibility is restored. Aguilar also recently underwent surgery on January 2 to remove a benign tumor from his arm but is expected to make a full recovery by late February, according to court documents.

Legal observers note that Aguilar’s strategy—seeking relief in state court rather than federal—could increase his chances of success, especially given the local impact of his case and the support he’s received from the university. Meanwhile, similar lawsuits are unfolding elsewhere, including a case by Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss, whose own eligibility hearing is scheduled for February 12.

For now, the college football world waits. The outcome of Aguilar’s preliminary injunction hearing, set for February 13, could determine not just his future but also the fate of other athletes caught in the eligibility crossfire. As Tennessee’s spring practice approaches and the quarterback room remains unsettled, all eyes are on the Knox County courthouse. Will Aguilar get one more shot to lead the Volunteers—and perhaps rewrite the rulebook for junior college transfers in the process? Stay tuned, because this legal showdown is far from over.