Sometimes it feels like the NCAA is living in its own world, far from the chaos and energy of real college football. But a recent court ruling—centered on Tennessee quarterback Joey Aguilar—brought a rare sense of reason back into the mix.
Aguilar wanted another year of eligibility. This case isn’t just about him, though; it could shape how future eligibility fights play out.
The NCAA came out on top here. That win, honestly, kind of reminds everyone why some rules and boundaries still matter, even as the sport keeps changing.
The Joey Aguilar Eligibility Ruling: A Win for College Football
This court decision about Joey Aguilar’s eligibility is a pretty big deal. Aguilar’s already had a long, winding college career and was hoping for one more year, pointing to what happened with Diego Pavia last season.
The court didn’t buy it. Instead, they stuck to the importance of clear eligibility rules and nudged players to move on when it’s time.
The Background: Aguilar’s College Career
Aguilar’s path through college football has been, well, a ride. He started at City College of San Francisco, redshirting in 2019.
Then COVID-19 wiped out the 2020 season. He switched to Diablo Valley, a junior college, and played 16 games over the next two years before heading for the FBS at Appalachian State.
At App State, he started 25 games in two seasons, barely missing action from injuries. Big programs started to notice.
He made a brief stop at UCLA, then landed at Tennessee for 2025. That year, he led the SEC in passing yards—3,565, with 24 touchdowns. Not too shabby.
The Case for Additional Eligibility
Aguilar’s main argument? He pointed to Diego Pavia, who got another year after arguing that junior college seasons shouldn’t count against Division I eligibility.
Pavia’s case was unique, but Aguilar hoped to ride that wave. The court, though, saw it differently.
They noted Aguilar had already played a full college career—four seasons with 10 or more games, plus another with at least six. That’s a lot of football.
So, the court doubled down on the need for straightforward eligibility rules. They made it clear: at some point, you’ve got to move on.
The Implications for College Football
This ruling could echo through college football for a while. By saying no to Aguilar’s extra year, the court put its foot down on eligibility consistency.
It’s not just about rules for the sake of rules. There’s something to be said for keeping the sport’s structure intact, even as everything else shifts around it.
Player Empowerment and Responsibilities
There’s no question players have more power now—transfer portal, NIL deals, more say in their futures. All those changes have cracked open new doors for athletes.
But with all that freedom? There’s a flip side. Players have to know when it’s time to take the next step, whether that’s the pros or something else entirely.
The Aguilar decision is a nudge in that direction. It’s a reminder that while player empowerment matters, clear rules and a sense of timing still count for something.
Conclusion
The court’s decision to deny Joey Aguilar another year of eligibility is a pretty big deal for college football. It highlights how important it is to keep eligibility rules clear and make sure players move on to the next stage of their lives when it’s time.
Player empowerment matters, no question, but it can’t come at the expense of the sport’s structure. There’s always that tricky balance—sometimes it feels like everyone’s still figuring it out.
If you want to dig deeper into this ruling and what it might mean for college football, check out the full article on Deadspin.
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