Tennessee quarterback Joey Aguilar requested a preliminary injunction for another year of eligibility for the 2026 college football season.
He was hoping to return to Knoxville for another year, but according to ESPN’s Pete Thamel, a judge denied Aguilar’s request. Aguilar will now turn pro and attend the 2026 NFL Combine next week.
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Aguilar played in 13 games for the Vols during the 2025 season, compiling 3,565 yards through the air, 24 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions. He spent the two prior seasons with the Appalachian State Mountaineers as their starting quarterback.
He’ll finish his collegiate career with 10,325 yards through the air, 80 touchdowns, and 34 interceptions.
Tennessee quarterback Joey Aguilar (6) looks for an open receiver in the first quarter of the Music City Bowl against Illinois in an NCAA college football game on Dec. 30, 2025, in Nashville, Tennessee.© Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
(© Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)
Tennessee finished the 2025 season with an 8-5 record and missed the College Football Playoff after making it during the 2024 season. The program finished that season with a 10-3 record.
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Josh Heupel has been the head coach of Tennessee for the last five seasons and is going into his sixth season at the helm. He has compiled a 45-20 overall record.
The Vols will open the 2026 season against the Furman Paladins on Sept. 5 before playing the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets on Sept. 12. They’ll have one more non-conference game on Sept. 19 before going into SEC play for the final nine games.
Tennessee will have a new starting quarterback for a fifth straight season.
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Related: Another SEC QB Sues NCAA Over Eligibility for 2026 College Football Season
This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Feb 21, 2026, where it first appeared in the College Football section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
