Former Tennessee QB Attends Vols Baseball Game After Eligibility Ruling

Joey Aguilar was denied a preliminary injunction to return to the team next season.

Published on Feb. 20, 2026

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Former Tennessee football quarterback Joey Aguilar was in attendance at the Vols' baseball game against Kent State, just shortly after a judge ruled against his request for a preliminary injunction that would have allowed him to return to the team next season. Aguilar spent one season as Tennessee's starting QB in 2025, leading the SEC in passing yards and touchdowns, before his college eligibility came into question.

Why it matters

Aguilar's presence at the baseball game so soon after the ruling on his eligibility suggests he is still engaged with the Tennessee athletic program, despite no longer being able to play for the football team next season. This raises questions about the circumstances surrounding his departure and the broader implications for the Vols' quarterback situation going forward.

The details

Aguilar joined Tennessee in the spring transfer window in 2025 after playing two years at the junior college level and another two at Appalachian State. He was granted an additional year of eligibility due to a NCAA ruling, which led him to initially transfer to UCLA before ultimately ending up at Tennessee, where he had a standout season as the Vols' starting QB. However, after an eligibility hearing last Friday, a judge ruled against Aguilar's request for a preliminary injunction that would have allowed him to return to the team next season.

  • On Friday afternoon, February 20, 2026, a judge ruled against Joey Aguilar's request for a preliminary injunction to return to the Tennessee football team.
  • Shortly after the ruling, Aguilar was seen in attendance at Tennessee's baseball game against Kent State, which began at 4:30 p.m. ET on February 20, 2026.

The players

Joey Aguilar

A former Tennessee football quarterback who spent one season as the Vols' starting QB in 2025 before his college eligibility came into question.

Tennessee Volunteers

The athletic program at the University of Tennessee, including the football and baseball teams.

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What they’re saying

“Not even an hour after Joey Aguilar was denied a preliminary injunction, the Tennessee QB is here at Lindsey Nelson Stadium cheering on @Vol_Baseball.”

— Sam Rothman, Reporter (Twitter)

What’s next

The Tennessee baseball team will continue its three-game series against Kent State, with game two scheduled for Saturday at 4 p.m. ET and game three on Sunday at 1 p.m. ET. Both games will air on SECN+.

The takeaway

Aguilar's presence at the baseball game shortly after the ruling on his eligibility suggests he remains engaged with the Tennessee athletic program, despite no longer being able to play for the football team next season. This raises questions about the circumstances surrounding his departure and the broader implications for the Vols' quarterback situation going forward.