Tennessee QB Aguilar Pivots to NFL Combine After Waiver Denial

Aguilar had sought an additional year of college eligibility but lost his court battle.

Published on Feb. 27, 2026

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Tennessee quarterback Joey Aguilar has shifted his focus to the NFL draft combine after having his waiver for an additional year of college eligibility denied. Aguilar had been preparing for the 2026 season with the Volunteers, but the court ruling effectively ended his college career. He is now in Indianapolis to participate in the combine, though he will not be able to take part in workouts due to a recent surgery to remove a benign tumor near his throwing shoulder.

Why it matters

Aguilar's case highlights the challenges student-athletes can face in navigating the NCAA's eligibility rules, particularly when seeking waivers for additional years of play. His situation also underscores the importance of NIL earnings, which played a role in his pursuit of another college season, and the impact of injuries on a player's draft prospects.

The details

Aguilar had been enrolled at Tennessee this semester, operating as a standard college athlete, until the court decision denying his waiver request. He then pivoted quickly to prepare for the NFL combine, though he had virtually no prior interview preparation. Aguilar conceded that the potential for significant NIL earnings in 2026 was a factor in his pursuit of another college season, as his lawyers argued his two years at a junior college should not count toward his NCAA eligibility. However, Aguilar said his ultimate goal is the NFL, and he is now focused on that path despite the setback.

  • On Feb. 20, Aguilar's waiver for an additional year of eligibility was denied.
  • Last week, Aguilar was still on campus at Tennessee, preparing for the 2026 season.
  • This week, Aguilar is in Indianapolis participating in the NFL draft combine.

The players

Joey Aguilar

A former quarterback for the Tennessee Volunteers who had sought an additional year of college eligibility but was denied, prompting him to pivot to the NFL draft combine.

Diablo Valley Community College

The junior college in California where Aguilar played for two seasons before transferring to Appalachian State and then Tennessee.

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What they’re saying

“Waiting around, it gets a little stressful. But I finally got the answer that I was waiting for. And that's to pursue the NFL now, and I can put all my focus into that.”

— Joey Aguilar (ESPN)

“It's a big key to go out there and earn a lot of money for playing football, something I think everybody would want to do. But, like I said... the ultimate goal is the NFL and to go out there and have a full offseason and another season under that offense [at Tennessee], I think would have put me in a good situation.”

— Joey Aguilar (ESPN)

What’s next

Aguilar said he won't participate in combine workouts as he is still rehabbing from the surgery to remove the benign tumor, but he hopes to perform for scouts at Tennessee's pro day next month.

The takeaway

Aguilar's case highlights the complex issues student-athletes can face when navigating NCAA eligibility rules and the importance of NIL earnings, while also underscoring the impact of injuries on a player's draft prospects as he prepares to pursue his NFL dreams.