Tennessee quarterback Joey Aguilar is taking the NCAA to court, filing a lawsuit in Knox County Chancery Court as he seeks an additional year of Division I eligibility. The legal move comes after a standout 2025 season in Knoxville, and it could have major implications-not just for Aguilar’s future, but for Tennessee’s quarterback room heading into 2026.
At the heart of Aguilar’s argument is how the NCAA is counting his eligibility clock. According to the lawsuit, the governing body is including his two seasons at Diablo Valley Community College in California as part of his Division I eligibility-something Aguilar and his legal team contend is a misapplication of the rules. If the court sides with him, Aguilar would be cleared to return for a sixth season of college football, and a second year leading the Volunteers.
The lawsuit doesn’t mince words, stating that the NCAA is “blocking Aguilar from playing a fourth year of Division I football - depriving Tennessee of a gifted quarterback and robbing Aguilar of millions in compensation.” That’s a bold claim, but one that points to the growing financial stakes in college football’s new era of NIL deals and increased player visibility.
Aguilar’s case is being handled by Cam Norris, a Knoxville-based attorney who previously argued a case before the U.S. Supreme Court in 2022. So this isn’t just a routine eligibility appeal-it’s a high-powered legal challenge that could test the NCAA’s framework around JUCO transfers and eligibility limits.
On the field, Aguilar made a strong case for himself in 2025. In his lone season with the Vols, he threw for 3,565 yards, 24 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions, while also adding four scores on the ground.
His ability to extend plays, push the ball downfield, and operate within Tennessee’s offense gave the Vols a dynamic presence under center. It was a breakout year that helped Tennessee finish with an 8-5 record, and it gave fans a glimpse of what this offense could be with Aguilar at the helm.
Before arriving in Knoxville, Aguilar spent two seasons at Appalachian State, where he put up big numbers-6,760 passing yards, 56 touchdowns, and 24 interceptions over 25 games. That experience, combined with his 2025 performance in the SEC, makes him one of the more seasoned and productive quarterbacks in college football-if he’s allowed to return.
As it stands, the Vols are preparing to open the 2026 season on September 5 against Furman. Whether Aguilar will be under center for that game is now in the hands of the court.
But one thing’s clear: Tennessee has a lot riding on the outcome. A favorable ruling would give them back a proven leader and playmaker.
A denial leaves them searching for answers at the most important position on the field.
This is more than just a legal technicality-it’s a case that could shape Tennessee’s season and potentially set precedent for how the NCAA handles JUCO-to-Division I transitions in the future. Stay tuned.