The Tennessee Volunteers just got a jolt of potential good news for their 2026 campaign - and it comes from the courtroom, not the practice field.
On Wednesday, quarterback Joey Aguilar was granted a temporary restraining order by a Knoxville judge that blocks the NCAA, at least for now, from enforcing eligibility restrictions tied to his junior college career. It’s a legal twist that could open the door for Aguilar to suit up for Tennessee next season - and possibly rejoin the team as early as spring practice.
The order, issued by Chancellor Christopher Heagerty in Knox County Chancery Court, gives Aguilar a 15-day reprieve from the NCAA’s rulebook. The heart of the matter?
Aguilar’s eligibility clock, which the NCAA contends has run out due to his extended college football journey - one that includes stints at multiple schools and a season lost to the pandemic. But the court’s decision temporarily puts that ruling on hold.
The next major step comes Friday, when Aguilar will seek a preliminary injunction. If granted, it would extend his eligibility through the 2026 season and allow him to re-enroll at Tennessee in March. If the court denies the request, Aguilar will pivot to preparing for the NFL Draft.
Now 24, Aguilar’s college football path has been anything but conventional. He started in 2019 at City College of San Francisco, lost the 2020 season to COVID-19, and then played two years at Diablo Valley College in California.
His NCAA journey didn’t begin until 2023 at Appalachian State. After a season there, he transferred in 2025 - first to UCLA, then to Tennessee.
And at Tennessee, he made his presence known in a hurry. Aguilar led the SEC in passing yards last season with 3,565 and threw 24 touchdown passes - numbers that not only turned heads in Knoxville but also across the conference. His arm talent, poise in the pocket, and ability to stretch the field made him a key piece in Tennessee’s offense and a player the Vols would love to have back under center.
If the legal process swings in his favor, Aguilar could be back in orange this spring, giving Tennessee a veteran signal-caller with proven production in the SEC. If not, the NFL awaits - and with his resume, he’ll be on scouts’ radars either way.
But for now, all eyes turn to Friday’s hearing - and the possibility that Tennessee’s QB room might not be settled just yet.