Joey Aguilar files lawsuit against NCAA, seeks eligibility for 2026
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Tennessee quarterback Joey Aguilar has filed a new lawsuit as he seeks eligibility for the 2026 college football season, according to a report.
KnoxNews’ Adam Sparks was first to share that news on Monday afternoon, noting that the lawsuit has been filed in Knox County Court.
Aguilar is seeking an additional year of eligibility on the grounds that he has only spent three years at NCAA member institutions. The Tennessee quarterback began his collegiate career at the JUCO level. Current NCAA rules indicate that time spent at junior colleges count toward an athlete’s 5-year clock, but Aguilar’s lawsuit could challenge that notion.
Per Sparks’ report, Aguilar is seeking relief via a temporary restraining order and, eventually, a court injunction that would clear the way for him to suit up for Tennessee in 2026.
The report also says Aguilar’s compensation for 2026, should he be eligible to play, would be “approximately” $2 million.
Aguilar was the starter at App State in 2023 and 2024 before ending up at Tennessee for the 2025 campaign. Prior to his time with the Mountaineers, he spent time at City College of San Francisco as well as Diablo Valley.
If Aguilar is not eligible for the 2026 season, Tennessee will likely turn to an unproven option at quarterback. George MacIntrye and Faizon Brandon are expected to compete for the starting job if Aguilar is not on the roster.
Spenser is a news editor for Saturday Down South and covers college football across all Saturday Football brands.
