Judge issues ruling on injunction for Tennessee QB Joey Aguilar
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Tennessee will have a new starting quarterback next season.
On Friday, according to multiple reports, a local judge denied quarterback Joey Aguilar’s request for a preliminary injunction that would have granted him an additional season of eligibility and a return to Knoxville in 2026.
Aguilar led Tennessee to an 8-5 record in his first season with the program last fall. He had previously been part of a class-action suit brought against the NCAA by Diego Pavia, but pulled out earlier this month and elected to file his own suit.
Aguilar was granted a temporary restraining order initially, but denial of his preliminary injunction would presumably end his bid for an additional year. His team could seek to file an appeal and reverse the order, but ESPN’s Pete Thamel reported that Aguilar will turn his attention to the NFL Draft and attend the NFL Scouting Combine next week.
The decision from Knox County Chancellor Christopher D. Heagerty signals a major win for the NCAA, which comes on the heels of a loss in its case against Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss.
Aguilar, 24, redshirted during the 2019 season at City College of San Francisco before transferring to Diablo Valley C.C. After COVID wiped out the 2020 season, Aguilar played for 2 seasons at Diablo Valley before arriving at Appalachian State in 2023. He spent 2 seasons with the Mountaineers before transferring first to UCLA and then to Tennessee.
Aguilar’s argument was that his junior college seasons shouldn’t count toward his NCAA eligibility clock, as only 3 of his 7 seasons were spent at an NCAA member school.
In 13 appearances for the Vols last season, Aguilar threw for 3,565 yards and 24 touchdowns with 10 interceptions.
During the spring and summer months, 5-star 2026 signee Faizon Brandon, Colorado transfer Ryan Staub, and redshirt freshman George MacIntyre will battle for the starting job.
Derek Peterson does a bit of everything, not unlike Taysom Hill. He has covered Oklahoma, Nebraska, the Pac-12, and now delivers CFB-wide content.
