🏈 Tennessee QB Joey Aguilar Granted Temporary Restraining Order vs. NCAA

Tennessee Volunteers quarterback Joey Aguilar was granted a 15-day temporary restraining order (TRO) in his lawsuit against the NCAA challenging its eligibility rules. This court ruling prevents the NCAA from enforcing certain rules against Aguilar while his case moves forward, giving him a chance to continue pursuing eligibility to play in the 2026 season.

Legal context:

Aguilar filed the lawsuit in Knox County Chancery Court after withdrawing from a federal case.
The TRO was issued by Chancellor Christopher D. Heagerty and will last at least 15 days while Aguilar seeks a preliminary injunction in court, with a hearing expected in mid-February.
The judge noted that Aguilar has shown a substantial likelihood of success on his claims and that immediate harm would occur without the TRO.

He contends that junior college seasons should not count against his Division I eligibility. Aguilar played two years at Diablo Valley College before transferring first to Appalachian State and then to Tennessee. Counting his junior college seasons under current NCAA rules would limit him to fewer years of eligibility at the Division I level.

PreAguilar was involved with a similar lawsuit connected to former Vanderbilt QB Diego Pavia’s case, in which a preliminary court victory earlier helped secure an extra year of eligibility for junior college transfers.

What this means?

The TRO doesn’t guarantee Aguilar will play in 2026, but it temporarily blocks enforcement of the eligibility rule while his legal challenge proceeds through court.
If Aguilar wins a permanent injunction or the lawsuit, he could return for another season with Tennessee in 2026.

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