Tennessee QB Joey Aguilar Sues NCAA for Additional Year of Eligibility Amid Vols’ Quarterback Uncertainty
Joey Aguilar isn’t done fighting. The Tennessee quarterback has filed a lawsuit against the NCAA in Knox County, making a bold legal push to secure an additional year of eligibility after a standout 2025 season in Knoxville.
This move adds another layer to an already complex eligibility battle that’s been unfolding across college football. Aguilar, who had previously been part of a similar lawsuit alongside Vanderbilt QB Diego Pavia, recently withdrew from that case and hired attorney Cam Norris to take the lead on his individual fight.
At the heart of Aguilar’s case is a challenge to how the NCAA counts junior college seasons toward an athlete’s eligibility clock. According to the complaint, the NCAA’s current stance is denying Aguilar a fourth year of Division I football-despite a breakout campaign that made him one of the most productive quarterbacks in the SEC last season.
“After a breakout season as the Volunteers’ quarterback in 2025, 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,” the lawsuit claims.
Background: A Legal Battle with Broad Implications
This isn’t the first time the NCAA’s eligibility rules have been legally challenged. In the Pavia case, a judge granted a temporary restraining order against the NCAA last winter, which led to a significant policy shift. That ruling allowed student-athletes who had played in junior college and exhausted their eligibility during the 2024-25 academic year to receive an extra year.
That decision is what opened the door for Aguilar to transfer to Tennessee in the first place. He had played two seasons at Diablo Valley Community College before moving up to the FBS level.
With that ruling in place, Aguilar was able to suit up for the Vols in 2025. Now, he’s seeking to extend his college career even further-arguing that he should still have one more year left.
If the court sides with Aguilar, it could have ripple effects for other student-athletes in similar situations, potentially reshaping how the NCAA handles junior college eligibility across the board.
Aguilar’s Impact in 2025
On the field, Aguilar was nothing short of impressive in his first-and potentially only-season in Knoxville. He started all 13 games for the Volunteers, leading them to an 8-5 record while putting up strong numbers: 272 completions on 404 attempts, 3,565 passing yards, 24 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions. He also added 101 rushing yards and four scores on the ground.
Those numbers don’t just jump off the stat sheet-they tell the story of a quarterback who brought stability, leadership, and playmaking ability to a Tennessee offense that needed it. Losing him would be a significant blow, not just in terms of production but also in terms of experience and presence in the locker room.
Tennessee’s QB Room in Flux
Aguilar’s legal battle also comes at a time when Tennessee’s quarterback situation is anything but settled. The Vols had their eyes on several transfer portal targets this offseason, but the chips didn’t fall their way. Alabama’s Ty Simpson opted to declare for the NFL Draft instead of entering the portal, and Arizona State’s Sam Leavitt chose LSU over Tennessee.
That left head coach Josh Heupel and his staff scrambling. They eventually landed Colorado transfer Ryan Staub, but he’s currently viewed as a backup option. The rest of the quarterback room is young and untested, featuring redshirt freshman George MacIntyre and true freshman Faizon Brandon.
If Aguilar’s lawsuit is successful, it could be a game-changer for Tennessee heading into the 2026 season. He would instantly reclaim the starting job and give the Vols a proven leader under center-something they currently lack.
What’s Next?
The legal process is ongoing, and it’s unclear how quickly the courts will move on Aguilar’s case. But one thing is certain: the outcome will have major implications, not just for Tennessee football, but for how eligibility is defined and enforced across college athletics.
For now, the Vols wait-and hope their quarterback’s fight off the field gives him one more chance to lead them on it.