Joey Aguilar ‘unlikely’ to be granted waiver for 2026, per report
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Joey Aguilar set the world on fire with his right arm during his first season at Tennessee in 2025.
Unfortunately for Aguilar and the Volunteers, it might be his only season in Knoxville, too. Things aren’t final in any way, but according to a report on Sunday morning by CBS Sports’ Matt Zenitz, “it’s currently viewed as unlikely” that Aguilar will be granted the additional year of college eligibility that he covets to return to Tennessee in 2026.
Again, there is still room for things to change for Aguilar, with Zenitz also reporting that “a waiver is still being pursued and there’s nothing final yet.”
Aguilar arrived in Knoxville as a savior of sorts at quarterback in the aftermath of the transfer of Nico Iamaleava to UCLA. Iamaleava’s departure to Pasadena created a big opening for Tennessee at quarterback in 2025, and Aguilar filled that opening with a flair, throwing for 3,565 yards and 24 touchdowns.
While he also threw 10 interceptions this past season at Tennessee and the Vols only finished 8-5, they also had one of the most exciting offenses in the country with Aguilar at the helm. Aguilar added 101 yards rushing and 4 touchdowns on the ground for Josh Heupel‘s program, but according to Sunday’s report it appears the chances aren’t looking good for Heupel to get his starting QB back for 2026.
The California native has already had a well-traveled collegiate career, spending 2 seasons at Appalachian State in 2023 and 2024 before heading to Knoxville and the SEC in 2025.
Aguilar, ironically, transferred to Tennessee from UCLA after spring football in 2025, effectively switching places with Iamaleava, who went west from Knoxville to Pasadena while Aguilar came the other way. Aguilar never played a game for UCLA, choosing Tennessee instead, but now his future at the program appears to be in peril.
Cory Nightingale, a former sportswriter and sports editor at the Miami Herald and Palm Beach Post, is a South Florida-based freelance writer who covers Alabama for SaturdayDownSouth.com.
