Judge denies Tennessee QB Joey Aguilar's eligibility bid - ESPN

ESPN

by Mark Schlabach

February 20, 2026

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A Tennessee state judge has ruled against University of Tennessee quarterback Joey Aguilar's request for a preliminary injunction that would have allowed him to play another season with the Volunteers. The decision effectively ends Aguilar's college football career, as his legal team argued that his two seasons at junior college should not count toward his four-year eligibility in Division I. Despite being granted a temporary restraining order earlier this month, Aguilar's attorneys faced a significant setback when Chancery Court Judge Christopher D. Heagerty denied the injunction, which was viewed as a major victory for the NCAA. The case gained attention due to its implications for collegiate sports and NCAA eligibility rules. Aguilar, 24, played two seasons at Diablo Valley Community College and one at Appalachian State before joining Tennessee last year. His legal team had claimed he stood to earn around $2 million if he played for the Volunteers this season. The judge's ruling aligns with the NCAA's stance that all four years of eligibility must be accounted for, regardless of whether they were spent at a junior college or not. The outcome is significant for both the NCAA and collegiate sports as a whole. It reaffirms the organization's eligibility rules, which have faced numerous legal challenges in recent years. The ruling also highlights the importance of fair competition and maintaining standardized policies to ensure all student-athletes have equal opportunities. While Aguilar's attorneys hinted at the possibility of an appeal, the judge's decision marks a clear win for the NCAA, which has faced scrutiny over its eligibility criteria in past cases. The case is particularly notable given Aguilar's connection to former Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia, who successfully sued the NCAA over similar eligibility rules. While Pavia was granted a preliminary injunction allowing him to play in 2025, Aguilar chose to file his own lawsuit in state court, seeking an additional year of eligibility under different circumstances. The ruling emphasizes the complexities and challenges faced by student-athletes navigating NCAA regulations, particularly those who transfer from junior colleges. The

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Originally published on ESPN on 2/20/2026