Tennessee QB Joey Aguilar’s Preliminary Injunction: Unexpected Twist Could Change Everything

So here’s a thought—can a college athlete turn the NCAA’s eligibility rules into a never-ending saga? Joey Aguilar, Tennessee’s quarterback with more eligibility years under his belt than most have semesters, is battling in court for an eighth crack at college football glory. But instead of a victory lap, things are spiraling—just days after snagging a temporary restraining order that could’ve kept him on the field, a judge slammed the door shut by denying his preliminary injunction. That means Joey’s dreams of leading the Volunteers in 2026 are all but dashed. His legal gambit leans on a broader lawsuit challenging whether junior college years really count against the NCAA’s four-year playing limit—a murky area where the rulebook might need more than a footnote. Tennessee now faces a quarterback puzzle with Aguilar out of the picture and hopefuls like Ryan Staub and George MacIntyre stepping up. Makes you wonder: is this just the latest twist in the NCAA’s labyrinth, or a sign of the system’s cracks showing beyond repair? LEARN MORE.

Joey Aguilar’s lawsuit against the NCAA, vying for an additional year of eligibility, is progressing quickly, but not in the direction he wants. The Tennessee quarterback has continued to appear in court over the last month as he pursues an eighth year of college football.

Just two days after receiving a temporary restraining order, Aguilar was denied a preliminary injunction against the NCAA, On3 Sports reported. The ruling now makes him ineligible to return to Tennessee for the 2026 college football season.

The temporary restraining order would have allowed Aguilar to play if he received it during the season. The odds of his returning to the Tennessee football program in 2026 are now slim to none.

Aguilar’s case is attempting to piggyback on the lawsuit filed by Diego Pavia in the 2025 offseason. Pavia, along with many others, wants the NCAA not to count junior college years toward the four-year eligibility rule. The current ruleset allows college athletes to play four years in the NCAA, with one redshirt season.

Aguilar transferred to Tennessee in 2025 for his seventh year of college football, but only his third in Division I. He spent his first two seasons at the City College of San Francisco, followed by one year at Diablo Valley College before moving up to Appalachian State in 2023. Aguilar spent two seasons with the Mountaineers before transferring to UCLA, and eventually to Tennessee, following the Nico Iamaleava drama.

Without Aguilar, Tennessee is still without an answer at quarterback for the 2026 season. Former Colorado backup Ryan Staub is the current favorite to win the job after Aguilar’s backup, Jake Merklinger, transferred to UConn. Staub will compete with rising sophomore George MacIntyre, who attempted nine passes in 2025.

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