Tennessee quarterback Joey Aguilar received a 15-day temporary restraining order in his lawsuit against the NCAA on Wednesday, a move that briefly aids him as he seeks another year of eligibility.
Aguilar, 24, filed the suit in Knox County (Tenn.) Chancery Court last week. He has an injunction hearing on Friday.
He is seeking a fourth season of Division I football, as opposed to having his two years in junior college counting against his eligibility.
“This outcome — after the plaintiff withdrew from a federal lawsuit and separately filed a lawsuit in state court with the exact same facts — illustrates the impossible situation created by differing court decisions that serve to undermine rules agreed to by the same NCAA members who later challenge them in court,” the NCAA said in a statement after the TRO was issued.
“We will continue to defend the NCAA’s eligibility rules against repeated attempts to rob high school students of the opportunity to compete in college and experience the life-changing opportunities only college sports can create. The NCAA and its member schools are making changes to deliver more benefits to student-athletes, but the patchwork of state laws and inconsistent, conflicting court decisions make partnering with Congress essential to provide stability for all college athletes.”
Aguilar redshirted at a community college in 2019 before his school’s 2020 season was canceled because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
He then played at Diablo Valley (Calif.) Community College from 2021-22 before transferring to Appalachian State, where he spent the next two seasons. He then transferred to Knoxville and won the starting job for the 2025 season.
In 13 games for the Volunteers, Aguilar completed 67.3% of his passes for 3,565 yards with 24 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. He also rushed for 101 yards and four scores.
Aguilar passed for 121 yards and rushed for a touchdown in Tennessee’s 30-28 loss to Illinois in the Music City Bowl in Nashville, Tenn.
He underwent surgery on Jan. 2 to remove a benign tumor on his arm, however he expects to be fully recovered by later this month.
Tennessee starts spring practice on March 16.
–Field Level Media
