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Mark Schlabach
Multiple Authors
A Tennessee state judge on Friday rejected quarterback Joey Aguilar’s plea for a preliminary injunction to compete with the Volunteers this season, effectively concluding his college career.
Aguilar’s legal representatives contended that his two seasons in junior college should not count against his four years of Division I eligibility.
The 24-year-old Aguilar played two seasons at Diablo Valley Community College in California and another two at Appalachian State before joining the Volunteers last year.
Chancery Judge Christopher D. Heagerty’s decision, made in Knox County Chancery Court in Knoxville, Tennessee, is a significant setback for the Volunteers, who lack a clear successor to Aguilar for the upcoming season.
According to court documents, Aguilar’s attorneys indicated he could have earned approximately $2 million with the Volunteers this season.
It remains uncertain if Aguilar’s attorneys plan to appeal the decision. He is scheduled to participate in next week’s NFL combine.
Heagerty had previously issued a 15-day temporary restraining order on Feb. 4, acknowledging that the quarterback “has demonstrated a substantial likelihood of success on the merits of his claim.”
This latest ruling marks a significant win for the NCAA, which has been challenged legally regarding its eligibility regulations. A judge in Mississippi recently ruled that Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss met the criteria to receive a medical redshirt, qualifying him to play for the Rebels this season.
“The NCAA is grateful for today’s ruling, reflecting the court’s attention to eligibility standards and ensuring access to the collegiate experience for both current and future student-athletes,” the NCAA stated. “We will continue to protect the NCAA’s eligibility rules against attempts to bypass foundational policies and uphold fair competition for all student-athletes. The NCAA is committed to enhancing benefits for student-athletes and will maintain collaboration with Congress to ensure stability for all college athletes.”
NCAA attorney Taylor Askew, a Knoxville native and a graduate of UT’s Winston College of Law, argued in last week’s session that it was time for Aguilar to progress.
“I cherish Tennessee football,” Askew remarked. “Being from Knoxville, I grew up cheering for it. My children watch him play every game. but, at some point, when judges analyze records like this, we have to acknowledge that ‘Tennessee is better than this. We don’t need to resort to court to recover our player. We aren’t going to field someone who does not meet eligibility standards to secure victories. That’s not how we do things at Tennessee.’
Aguilar was a co-plaintiff in a federal lawsuit involving former Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia against the NCAA, contesting its rules that count junior college seasons against Division I eligibility.
but, Aguilar separated himself from that lawsuit and pursued action against the NCAA in state court due to an anticipated delay in Pavia’s case ruling, expected no sooner than Feb. 10.
Pavia received a preliminary injunction from a federal judge, allowing him to play for the Commodores in 2025, where he finished as a runner-up in the Heisman Trophy voting.
The NCAA Division I board of directors approved a blanket waiver on Dec. 23, 2004, providing an additional year of eligibility for former junior college transfers in circumstances akin to Pavia’s.
Pavia is entering the NFL draft this year, but he continues his lawsuit to assist other former junior college players in potentially obtaining extra seasons of eligibility.
Aguilar also redshirted at City College of San Francisco in 2019, and the subsequent season was canceled because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
After amassing 6,760 passing yards and 56 touchdowns during two seasons at Appalachian State, Aguilar entered the transfer portal in December 2024. He was poised to join UCLA last season until former Volunteers quarterback Nico Iamaleava unexpectedly transferred to the Bruins in April.
The following day, Aguilar signed with Tennessee, completing 67.3% of his passes for 3,565 yards, 24 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions in 2025.
The Volunteers achieved an 8-4 record, finishing 4-4 in the SEC last season.
Jake Merklinger, Aguilar’s backup last season, has transferred to UConn, leaving redshirt freshman George MacIntyre as a potential starting quarterback. MacIntyre, ranked as the eighth pocket passer by ESPN in the class of 2025, attempted nine passes in two games last season.
The Volunteers also welcomed Ryan Staub, who played the past three seasons at Colorado, along with Faizon Brandon, the No. 3 pocket passer in the class of 2026.
