US EditionJudge denies Tennessee QB Joey Aguilar’s injunction bid to remain eligible
Judge Heagerty rejected Aguilar's request, citing low likelihood of success and potential broad impacts on NCAA eligibility rules affecting multiple athletes.
- Chancellor Christopher D. Heagerty on Friday denied a preliminary injunction, dissolving Joey Aguilar's temporary restraining order and ruling him ineligible to play for Tennessee in 2026.
- Aguilar argues junior-college seasons should not count against Division I eligibility, and he left a federal suit with Diego Pavia to file in Knox County Chancery Court.
- In court filings, Aguilar's lawyers noted he completed 67.3% of his passes for 3,565 yards with 24 touchdowns and risked losing $2 million to $4 million in NIL earnings.
- Tennessee now must replace one of the SEC's top passers and rely on unproven quarterbacks George MacIntyre, Faizon Brandon, and Ryan Staub for the 2026 battle, as Aguilar's return appears unlikely.
- Against mixed precedents, the NCAA's recent legal wins, including the denial of Aguilar's injunction, are seen as a significant victory and could influence future eligibility disputes, with Pavia's case illustrating conflicting outcomes.
39 Articles
39 Articles
Tennessee QB Joey Aguilar learns 2026 fate after court decision
Tennessee quarterback Joey Aguilar’s offseason Hail Mary fell incomplete. A Knoxville, Tenn., judge denied Aguilar a preliminary injunction Friday, making him ineligible to play college football in 2026 without an unlikely successful appeal under a time crunch, according to the Knoxville News-Sentinel.
Associated Press News
Judge denies Tennessee QB Joey Aguilar's injunction bid to remain eligible
A judge in Tennessee has denied Joey Aguilar’s bid for an injunction that would have enabled the quarterback to continue playing for the Volunteers this fall.
NCAA Defeats Joey Aguilar In Eligibility Lawsuit, Tennessee QB Loses Bid For 2026 Return
Former Tennessee quarterback Joey Aguilar has lost his fight against the NCAA for an additional year of eligibility, thanks to a preliminary injunction being denied by a Knoxville Chancellor. After filing a lawsuit in search of a sixth year of college football, based on the fact that he played two years at the JUCO level, Aguilar was actually granted a TRO in the case when first filed. But, Chancellor Chris Heagerty clearly did not hear enough e…
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 59% of the sources are Center
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
