While a Mississippi judge allowed Ole Miss QB Trinidad Chambliss to play one more year, making this 2026 season his seventh in college, Tennessee Volunteers QB Joey Aguilar also tried his luck in the courts for more eligibility. Unlike Chambliss, however, a judge ruled that he is not eligible to play anymore and denied his injunction.
Court documents show that his attorneys had argued that his playing two seasons of junior college at Diablo Valley Community College in California should not count in his four years of eligibility. They also argued that their client would stand to lose $2 million for the 2026 season, which is how much he is projected to make in NIL. However, Judge Christopher D. Heagerty shot the argument down and ruled against Aguilar’s injunction.
Aguilar’s camp did have a chance as the judge had previously granted a 15-day temporary restraining order back in February, noting that the Vols star “has demonstrated a substantial likelihood of success on the merits of his claim.”
This now leaves the Tennessee Volunteers in quite a predicament as they have no clear successor at the position. Unlike Aguilar, Chambliss was granted a medical redshirt year by the judge overseeing his case, thus still making him eligible to play one more year, with his two years at junior college also not counting.
NCAA Releases Statement on Joey Aguilar Eligibility Ruling
While the NCAA lost its case against Chambliss, it welcomed this decision in its case against Aguilar. The organization released a statement shortly after the ruling was made:
“The NCAA is thankful for the judge’s decision today which demonstrates the court’s consideration of eligibility standards and protecting access to the collegiate experience for current and future student-athletes,” the NCAA said.
“We will continue to defend the NCAA’s eligibility rules against attempts to circumvent foundational policies and hinder fair competition to all student-athletes. The NCAA is making changes to deliver more benefits to student-athletes and will continue to work with Congress to provide stability for all college athletes.”
It is unclear if his attorneys would appeal this decision, but it is clear that he is entering the NFL Draft Combine. With his college days now officially done, Joey Aguilar will now be entering the 2026 NFL draft and shifting his attention to the Combine.
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