Court Grants Vols QB Aguilar Additional Eligibility in TRO Ruling

Emerson Raymont

Published: February 4, 2026 2:46 PM ET

Court Grants Vols QB Aguilar Additional Eligibility in TRO Ruling

Tennessee quarterback Joey Aguilar has received a significant legal boost in his quest for extra eligibility. A temporary restraining order was granted by a Knox County Chancery Court, enabling him to continue playing for the Volunteers this fall. This ruling came after Aguilar filed a lawsuit against the NCAA, seeking a fourth year of eligibility in Division I football.

Details of the Lawsuit

Aguilar’s lawsuit was prompted by a rule he believes unfairly counts years spent playing in junior college against his eligibility. He played at Diablo Valley Community College in California from 2021 to 2022, before transferring to Appalachian State for the 2023 and 2024 seasons. Later, he joined the Tennessee Volunteers and showed impressive statistics, completing 67.3% of his passes for 3,565 yards, alongside 24 touchdowns and 10 interceptions last season.

The temporary restraining order, effective for 15 days, allows Aguilar to await an injunction hearing regarding his case. Chancellor Christopher D. Heagerty expressed confidence in Aguilar’s claim, stating that he “demonstrated a substantial likelihood of success on the merits.” This ruling, however, exclusively pertains to Aguilar.

Context of the NCAA Challenge

Aguilar’s legal actions follow a key decision from another quarterback, Diego Pavia, who previously challenged the same NCAA rule. Pavia’s lawsuit, filed in November 2024, initially secured a preliminary injunction that permitted him to participate in the 2025 season for Vanderbilt. This successful outcome placed Pavia second in the Heisman Trophy voting. Although Pavia is set to enter the NFL draft, he continues his lawsuit to support others in similar positions.

Implications for Aguilar

The NCAA’s ruling concerning Aguilar is urgent due to the impending start of the college football season. According to Heagerty’s ruling, delaying the decision risks significant opportunities for Aguilar, stating that lost time and opportunities are not easily compensated through monetary damages.

Next Steps in the Legal Process

As Aguilar awaits the hearing, he faces uncertainty about his eligibility. The outcome of his case will not only affect his career but may also influence future NCAA regulations regarding junior college transfers.