Tennessee’s Aguilar Joins Lawsuit for Extra College Eligibility

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Tennessee quarterback Joey Aguilar is preparing for the final games of his college career, but he may have a chance for one more season. Aguilar recently became a plaintiff in a lawsuit led by Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia, seeking to change NCAA rules regarding junior college eligibility.

Current NCAA regulations count any years played at the junior college level against a player’s eligibility. Pavia’s lawsuit aims to strike down these bylaws. Last December, Pavia won a preliminary injunction allowing former JUCO athletes with expiring eligibility during the 2024-25 academic year to gain an extra year. That ruling also opens the door for Aguilar and Tennessee tight end Miles Kitselman to play in the 2025 season.

Aguilar and Pavia both played two years of JUCO football, adding another layer of potential eligibility if the NCAA’s rules change. However, Pavia has indicated he does not plan to return for a 2026 season, whether or not he wins the case. Aguilar’s future remains uncertain. Earlier this month, he expressed a desire to explore opportunities at the next level, stating, ‘And if something happens, something happens.’

When asked if he wished he had another year at Tennessee, Aguilar said, ‘I mean, yeah. But I’m blessed for this one year. Grateful to be here for this year. I’m just thankful and took advantage of this opportunity.’

This season, Aguilar has completed 66% of his passes, throwing for 2,941 yards, 22 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions. He has also rushed for 119 yards and three touchdowns. Tennessee’s passing offense has improved significantly, with Aguilar ranking near the top of the SEC in several statistics, though he has struggled with interceptions.

The Vols currently have no clear quarterback for next season. Redshirt freshman Jake Merklinger and true freshman George MacIntyre are on the roster, while five-star recruit Faizon Brandon is committed to join the team in 2026. Aguilar’s potential return would give Tennessee a strong leader at quarterback.

The timing of the lawsuit and Aguilar’s eligibility decision is crucial, as most roster decisions for the 2026 season will occur in December. Meanwhile, Aguillar is focused on finishing the 2025 regular season, with the Vols set to face Florida on Saturday and Vanderbilt next week.