iStockphoto / © Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Joey Aguilar is seeking one final season of eligibility at the Division 1 level. He has sued the NCAA in search of an additional year at the University of Tennessee.
His case will be heard by a two-time graduate of the school. The Vols hope the ruling goes in their favor after swinging and missing on transfer portal options.
Aguilar has played five seasons. Two were spent in JUCO. Two were exhausted at Appalachian State. His most recent came in Knoxville.
The passer became a national headline in the 2025 offseason as part of an essential QB trade with UCLA. Nico Iamaleava dramatically bailed on Tennessee amid reported NIL disputes to move to Los Angeles.
Aguilar, who’d previously transferred to UCLA, was viewed as the Bruins’ future under center. When Iamaleava became an option, he reversed course to take the starting role with the Vols.
Last season, he threw for 3,565 yards and 24 scores. He added four more touchdowns as a runner while leading the Vols to eight wins. He now looks to build on success in 2026.
Joey Aguilar sued the NCAA.
He was initially part of the Diego Pavia lawsuit, the Vanderbilt quarterback who was successfully granted an extra season of eligibility last year. Like Aguilar, Pavia spent two seasons in JUCO before making the jump to D1.
Pavia played two seasons at New Mexico State, then two more with the Commodores where he nearly led a College Football Playoff run. Aguilar hopes his future holds the same.
He’s since filed his own lawsuit against the NCAA after being granted a voluntary dismissal from the Pavia suit. He’s teamed up with lawyer Cam Norris, who previously represented Donald Trump in 2022.
Joey Aguilar brings this complaint for declaratory and injunctive relief against the NCAA for violations of state antitrust law… The NCAA is… depriving Tennessee of a gifted quarterback and robbing Aguilar of millions in compensation…
Aguilar needs relief now, to know whether he should report to spring practice or prepare for the NFL draft. Aguilar will seek, among other relief, an emergency TRO and preliminary injunction that would require the NCAA to let him play one last season at Tennessee in 2026.
A two-time graduate of the school will hear his case.
Who is Chris Heagerty?
The Knoxville News Sentinel broke down his affiliation with the university. He received his bachelor’s and law degrees from Tennessee. He has also been an adjunct professor at the school since 2023.
With that said, the outlet was not able to confirm whether or not he was a donor to the football team.
Knox News could not determine whether Heagerty is a donor to the university or a season-ticket holder for any Tennessee sports. Donations to state universities are not a public record in Tennessee after a significant and successful effort by UT to change state law to shield donors. An athletics department spokesman said UT does not disclose any information about season-ticket holders, including their identities.
This issue has become a hot topic of late. SEC rival Alabama successfully challenged the NCAA to gain eligibility for former pro basketball player Charles Bediako.
An Alabama donor and judge signed a temporary restraining order allowing him to play. He has since appeared in three games as he awaits a follow-up hearing on February 6th, according to AL.com.
It’s been reported that Joey Aguilar could secure an NIL deal worth an estimated $2 million if able to return. If granted eligibility, Tennessee will welcome him back.
Should he win the suit, he will be the No. 1 option in the Vols’ QB room. The program missed on the likes of Beau Pribula, Sam Leavitt, and Brendan Sorsby in the transfer portal.
They settled on Colorado backup Ryan Staub, who will join inexperienced talents Faizon Brandon and George MacIntyre. Both freshmen were highly regarded as recruits but boast a combined nine pass attempts.
The quarterback situation somewhat justifies the price tag for Aguilar as Tennessee searches for answers under center. We’ll soon learn his fate as it relates to his college future.