Tennessee quarterback Joey Aguilar just took a major step toward getting back on the field in 2026 - and it’s not through a playbook or a workout. It’s through the courts.
Aguilar has been granted a temporary restraining order (TRO) against the NCAA, giving him a shot at returning for what would be his fourth full season of Division I football. The court’s message? Let the kid play - at least for now.
According to the court filing, the relief applies strictly to Aguilar, and the NCAA “suffers no harm” if he’s allowed to suit up again. That’s a big swing in Aguilar’s favor as he challenges the NCAA’s eligibility rules. The TRO doesn’t guarantee he’ll be back under center for the Volunteers this fall, but it clears a significant hurdle in his legal battle to earn a sixth year of eligibility.
Here’s the backdrop: Aguilar is coming off a breakout 2025 campaign with Tennessee. After transferring from UCLA - where he never played a snap - Aguilar found his stride in Knoxville, leading the Vols with the kind of poise and production that turned heads across the country. Before UCLA, he was at Appalachian State, but it wasn’t until 2025 that he truly got his shot to shine.
Now, he’s fighting to extend his college career, arguing that the NCAA’s decision to block him from playing another season not only hurts Tennessee’s offense but could also cost him millions in future earnings. The complaint lays it out bluntly: the NCAA is standing in the way of both Aguilar’s development and his financial future.
This isn’t just about one player - it’s about the broader conversation around eligibility, transfers, and how the NCAA handles unique cases like Aguilar’s. But for now, the focus is on Joey and whether this legal win will lead to another season in orange and white.
If he does return, Tennessee would be getting back a proven leader and playmaker. And for Aguilar, it’s a chance to build on a breakout year, stay in the college game a little longer, and potentially boost his stock even further before making the leap to the pros.
We’ll be watching closely as the legal process plays out. But for now, Aguilar’s hopes for 2026 are still alive - and that alone is a win worth noting.