The 2026 NFL Draft quarterback class is complete. We think. After a month-long saga that has seemingly ended with Ole Miss QB Trinidad Chambliss allowed to return to school, a separate judge made a separate ruling for another quarterback. Yesterday, a Tennessee judge ruled Volunteers quarterback Joey Aguilar is not eligible for another year in college. Aguilar will officially enter the NFL draft as one of several names fighting to stand out in a crowded but weak field, as another QB for the Pittsburgh Steelers to consider.
Per ESPN, Aguilar’s attorneys argued that he was eligible for another season after spending two years at a JUCO. The judge denied that bid, ruling Aguilar exhausted his eligibility.
Aguilar plans to attend the upcoming NFL Combine and prepare for April’s draft.
Tennessee QB Joey Aguilar’s injunction for another year of eligibility has been denied by a local judge, source tells ESPN. He’ll turn pro and attend the NFL Combine next week. Tennessee will have a new starting quarterback for the fifth straight-year.
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) February 20, 2026
In fairness and context, the NFL had already invited Aguilar to the Combine, but he still had eyes on returning to school. With that avenue closed, he’s officially part of the 2026 class for Pittsburgh and the 31 other teams to consider.
A well-built quarterback at a listed 6-3, 225 pounds, he spent two seasons starting at Appalachian State. He initially committed to UCLA, but after Volunteers QB Nico Iamaleava made the controversial move to leave and join the Bruins, Aguilar replaced him to start in Tennessee’s high-tempo system for 2025.
He threw for over 3,500 yards and 24 touchdowns. But throughout his career, Aguilar has struggled to protect the football. He threw double-digit interceptions in each of the past three seasons, including 10 with Tennessee, often in costly moments. A pair in an overtime loss to Georgia, two more in a six-point defeat to Oklahoma late in the season.
He played clean for his final three games but also struggled to produce, throwing just two touchdowns over that span with losses to Vanderbilt and Illinois in the bowl game.
Aguilar is likely a Day Three selection hoping to hear his name called in the final rounds. But with finality over his future, a strong performance at Indy could at least create media buzz. Fernando Mendoza will be the first quarterback taken, with Ty Simpson the second. The third name off the board remains a jump ball. LSU’s Garrett Nussmeier is the current favorite, but there isn’t a consensus. If Aguilar can clean up his mistakes, he might become a sleeper candidate as the literal last player to officially set sights on April’s draft.