Tennessee QB Joey Aguilar Heads to NFL Combine After NCAA Denies Extra Eligibility

Tennessee quarterback Joey Aguilar is officially shifting his focus to the next stage of his football career after his bid for another year of college eligibility was denied. The news means Aguilar will attend the NFL Draft Combine, putting his skills on display for professional scouts.

Aguilar's path to this moment has taken a dramatic turn. After a season leading the Volunteers, the quarterback sought a waiver for an additional year of NCAA eligibility—a move often pursued by athletes who lost playing time due to injury, transfer complications, or pandemic-related disruptions. However, the NCAA denied Aguilar's request, closing the door on a return to college football in 2026.

With the eligibility decision final, Aguilar has wasted no time preparing for the NFL. He will participate in the high-profile NFL Draft Combine, where top prospects run drills, undergo interviews, and complete physical assessments in front of all 32 NFL teams. The event is a critical opportunity for prospects like Aguilar to impress scouts and improve their draft stock.

• Aguilar guided Tennessee through a competitive college football season as their starting quarterback.
• The NCAA denied his waiver request for a final year of eligibility, leaving no option to return for another season.
• Aguilar is now set to attend the NFL Draft Combine, the premier pre-draft showcase for NFL hopefuls.

For Tennessee, Aguilar's shift to the NFL marks the end of an era at quarterback and opens the door for a new signal-caller to take the reins. For Aguilar himself, the combine represents both a challenge and an opportunity: a chance to prove to NFL teams that he's ready for the next level after a collegiate career that ended sooner than he hoped.

Aguilar joins a group of standout quarterbacks hoping to make their mark at the combine, where performances in athletic testing, passing drills, and team interviews can significantly impact draft projections. Scouts will be watching not only for physical traits but also for leadership skills and football IQ—qualities Aguilar displayed during his time with the Volunteers.

The next steps for Aguilar will be closely watched, as teams and analysts evaluate how he stacks up against other quarterback prospects in the 2026 NFL Draft class. His journey underscores the unpredictable nature of college eligibility and the high stakes of the NFL Draft process.