The eligibility lawsuit involving Tennessee quarterback Joey Aguilar faced a significant setback when a Knoxville judge denied his request for a preliminary injunction against the NCAA. This ruling is likely to crush Aguilar’s hopes of taking the field for the Volunteers in 2026, marking a notable victory for the NCAA, especially after enduring various eligibility challenges recently.
Aguilar’s situation was reminiscent of Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss, who successfully secured a temporary injunction earlier this month due to medical reasons impacting his eligibility in 2022. However, Aguilar’s argument was distinct; he sought to have his junior college years excluded from his NCAA eligibility count. He spent two years at City College of San Francisco (2019-20) and another two at Diablo Valley College (2021-22) before committing to Appalachian State in 2023.
Unfortunately for Aguilar, the argument did not provide enough leverage to obtain the same kind of temporary relief that Chambliss received. Unless there is an unexpected turnaround through a quick appeal, Aguilar won’t be in a Volunteer uniform this upcoming fall.
Impact on Tennessee’s Quarterback Landscape
The loss of Aguilar means Tennessee has a pressing need to replace one of the SEC’s most effective quarterbacks from last season. In 2025, he completed 67.3% of his passes, accumulating 3,565 yards and throwing 24 touchdowns, making him one of the anticipated stars returning to the SEC in 2026.
The Volunteers, having missed out on elite quarterbacks in the transfer portal—despite considerable efforts to recruit Sam Leavitt before he chose LSU—will now rely on less experienced players. This sets the stage for an intriguing spring quarterback competition within the SEC.
Tennessee is looking to redshirt freshman George MacIntyre, who saw limited action last season, and true freshman Faizon Brandon, a highly touted five-star recruit ranked No. 3 nationally and among quarterbacks, as their primary candidates. Alongside them, Colorado transfer Ryan Staub adds to the mix. MacIntyre played in just two games last year, throwing nine passes, completing seven for a modest total of 69 yards.
MacIntyre’s advantage over Brandon doesn’t stem from extensive game experience but rather from the additional year he’s had to learn coach Josh Heupel’s offensive system. For a Tennessee squad with aspirations of competing for a College Football Playoff spot in 2026, Aguilar’s absence places immediate pressure on their inexperienced quarterback room to accelerate their development—while also putting the onus on Heupel to make the right choice between the two young talents.
