Tennessee QB Aguilar sues NCAA for extra year of eligibility

Judge to rule soon on lawsuit seeking additional season of college football

Published on Feb. 14, 2026

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Tennessee quarterback Joey Aguilar has filed a lawsuit against the NCAA seeking an additional year of college eligibility. Aguilar was back in court on Friday as the judge prepares to make a decision on the case in the coming days.

Why it matters

This case could set an important precedent for student-athletes seeking extra years of eligibility due to extenuating circumstances, such as the COVID-19 pandemic disrupting their college careers.

The details

Aguilar is arguing that the NCAA should grant him another year of eligibility after his 2025 season was cut short due to a season-ending injury. The lawsuit contends that the NCAA's rules around eligibility are unfair and should be adjusted to account for unexpected events that impact a player's career.

  • The lawsuit was filed by Aguilar on February 10, 2026.
  • The court hearing took place on February 14, 2026.

The players

Joey Aguilar

The starting quarterback for the University of Tennessee football team.

NCAA

The National Collegiate Athletic Association, the governing body for college sports in the United States.

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What they’re saying

“The NCAA's rules around eligibility need to be updated to account for unforeseen circumstances that can derail a student-athlete's career.”

— Joey Aguilar, Tennessee Quarterback

What’s next

The judge is expected to rule on Aguilar's lawsuit within the next week.

The takeaway

This case highlights the challenges student-athletes can face when unexpected events disrupt their college careers, and the need for the NCAA to reevaluate its eligibility policies to provide more flexibility in such situations.