NCAA Prevails in High-Profile Eligibility Cases

Tennessee QB Joey Aguilar and Alabama's Charles Bediako lose court battles against NCAA rules

Published on Feb. 24, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The NCAA has scored a series victory in recent high-profile eligibility cases, winning two out of three court decisions. Mississippi QB Trinidad Chambliss was the lone winner, but Tennessee's Joey Aguilar and Alabama's Charles Bediako both lost their bids to extend their college careers beyond NCAA rules. The rulings uphold the NCAA's membership-approved eligibility guidelines, which limit players to five years of FBS eligibility and restrict former pro basketball players from returning to college hoops.

Why it matters

The NCAA's wins in these cases represent a victory for the "guardrails" crowd - university leaders, conference commissioners, and coaches who have called for stricter enforcement of NCAA rules. While some coaches like Alabama's Nate Oats have criticized the "broken" system, the courts have sided with the NCAA's efforts to defend its eligibility policies.

The details

In the Tennessee case, a Knoxville judge ruled against QB Joey Aguilar's quest for a fourth season of FBS eligibility after he previously spent four years in junior college. NCAA rules limit players to five years to complete four seasons of eligibility. Meanwhile, Alabama's Charles Bediako is appealing his case to the state Supreme Court, seeking to play college basketball three years after leaving for the NBA G League. The NCAA prevailed in Bediako's initial case as well.

  • On February 24, 2026, a Knoxville judge ruled against Tennessee QB Joey Aguilar's bid for another season of eligibility.
  • In recent weeks, the NCAA has prevailed in two out of three high-profile eligibility cases brought by players.

The players

Joey Aguilar

A Tennessee quarterback who sought an additional season of FBS eligibility after previously spending four years in junior college, but was denied by a Knoxville judge.

Charles Bediako

An Alabama basketball player who is appealing a court ruling against his bid to return to college hoops after spending time in the NBA G League.

Trinidad Chambliss

A Mississippi quarterback who scored a win against the NCAA, with a judge determining the association improperly denied him a medical redshirt for one of his years at Division II Ferris State.

Josh Heupel

The Tennessee football coach who supported Aguilar's bid for another season, but ultimately saw the NCAA's eligibility rules upheld.

Nate Oats

The Alabama basketball coach who has voiced support for Bediako's appeal, criticizing the "broken" NCAA system.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“The system's clearly broken, and I'm all for figuring out a way to fix it.”

— Nate Oats, Alabama basketball coach (Media interview)

What’s next

The Alabama Supreme Court will hear Charles Bediako's appeal of the NCAA's ruling against his bid to return to college basketball.

The takeaway

These court victories for the NCAA represent a win for the 'guardrails' crowd that has pushed for stricter enforcement of eligibility rules, even as some coaches continue to criticize the system. The rulings uphold the NCAA's authority to limit players' college careers, despite ongoing legal challenges to the association's policies.