Tennessee's Joey Aguilar Ineligible for 2026 CFB Season After Court Order, Will Attend NFL Combine

Tennessee quarterback Joey Aguilar was denied an injunction against the NCAA on Friday as he attempted to receive another year of college eligibility, according to Brent Hubbs of On3.com.

The denial means that Aguilar won't be eligible to suit up for the Volunteers in 2026.

The 24-year-old will now attend the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine, per On3.com's Chris Low.

Aguilar previously filed a lawsuit arguing that he should be able to play a fourth year of Division I football and not have the years he spent in junior college count against his eligibility.

He was initially among a group of former junior college players that requested an additional year of eligibility in a court filing looking to extend the Dec. 2024 injunction that allowed quarterback Diego Pavia to play for Vanderbilt in 2025.

Aguilar then requested a voluntary dismissal from the case on Jan. 30 and chose to file his own individual case in the local Knox County Court. He was later granted the dismissal from the federal case and filed his own case locally before he was denied an injunction on Friday.

The NCAA released a statement following the 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 the 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."

Aguilar played at Diablo Valley Community College in California from 2021-22 before transferring to Appalachian State for the next two years of his college career.

He then joined Tennessee ahead of the 2025 season, completing 67.3 percent of his throws for 3,565 yards and 24 touchdowns compared to 10 interceptions.

Now, Aguilar will begin the pre-draft process. The 2026 combine begins on Monday and runs through March 2.