Joey Aguilar's college football career is over.
The former Tennessee quarterback is ineligible to play college football after a Knoxville (Tennessee) judge denied a preliminary injunction on Friday, Feb. 20. The judge's decision is a major win for the NCAA and closes the door for Aguilar's return to the Vols for the 2026 season.
Aguilar, 24, can still declare for the 2026 NFL Draft and is expected to be at the NFL scouting combine on Feb. 27 in Indianapolis.
The former Appalachian State quarterback sued the NCAA in Knox County Chancery Court over the league's eligibility rules regarding former junior college players. He started his college career at City College of San Francisco in 2019, redshirting his freshman season. The 2020 season was canceled due to COVID-19.
Aguilar played the 2021-22 season at Diablo Valley College in Pleasant Hill, California, before transferring to App State from 2022 to 2024. Including his one season at Tennessee in 2025, he played only three seasons at NCAA member schools.
Two-time Tennessee graduate Chancellor Chris Heagerty granted Aguilar a 15-day restraining order against the NCAA's eligibility rules and then extended it until he could make a ruling on it. However, it was Heagerty who denied the injunction order for Aguilar.
The NCAA issued a statement in the wake of Haegerty's ruling:
"The NCAA is thankful for the judge's decision today which demonstrates the court's consideration of eligibility standards and protecting access to the collegiate experience for current and future student-athletes," the organization said in a statement. "We will continue to defend the NCAA's eligibility rules against attempts to circumvent foundational policies and hinder fair competition to all student-athletes. The NCAA is making changes to deliver more benefits to student-athletes and will continue to work with Congress to provide stability for all college athletes."
Had he returned to Tennessee in 2026, Aguilar would have been owed "approximately $2 million" in NIL money. However, Aguilar's attorney, Cam Norris, could not sway Heagerty of the significant damage to Aguilar that would occur if he were denied.
“In fact, the plaintiff (Aguilar) has repeatedly taken the position in this civil action that the requested relief would solely apply to him and not affect others. This argument seems to actually hurt the plaintiff’s chances to show sufficient evidence that the ‘JUCO’ rule affects Tennessee trade or commerce to a substantial degree.”
Aguilar led the SEC with 3,565 passing yards in 2025, which was also the third-most in a single season in Tennessee history. Redshirt freshman George MacIntyre, five-star freshman Faizon Brandon and Colorado transfer Ryan Staub will compete for the Vols' starting job.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Tennessee QB Joey Aguilar denied injunction in NCAA eligibility case