In a significant decision, Tennessee QB Joey Aguilar has been denied an injunction in his NCAA eligibility case, effectively ending his college football career. This ruling is a major victory for the NCAA, which has been defending its eligibility rules against Aguilar’s lawsuit.
Joey Aguilar, the former Tennessee quarterback, has been denied a preliminary injunction by a Knoxville judge, according to a report by USA TODAY. This decision means that Aguilar will not be eligible to play college football in the 2026 season, a significant blow to his career and the Tennessee Volunteers.
Aguilar, 24, had sued the NCAA over its eligibility rules regarding former junior college players. He started his college career at City College of San Francisco in 2019, redshirting his freshman season, and then played for Diablo Valley College in Pleasant Hill, California, before transferring to Appalachian State. Aguilar played only three seasons at NCAA member schools, including one season at Tennessee in 2025.
The NCAA issued a statement after the ruling, saying, “The NCAA is thankful for the judge’s decision today which demonstrates the court’s consideration of eligibility standards and protecting access to the collegiate experience for current and future student-athletes.” The organization also stated that it would continue to defend its eligibility rules against attempts to circumvent foundational policies and hinder fair competition to all student-athletes.
Had Aguilar returned to Tennessee in 2026, he would have been owed approximately $2 million in NIL money, as reported by Knox News. However, Aguilar’s attorney, Cam Norris, was unable to convince the judge that the significant damage to Aguilar would occur if he were denied the injunction.
Aguilar led the SEC with 3,565 passing yards in 2025, which was also the third-most in a single season in Tennessee history. With his eligibility case now closed, the competition for the Vols’ starting job will be between redshirt freshman George MacIntyre, five-star freshman Faizon Brandon, and Colorado transfer Ryan Staub.
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