In Knoxville, Tennessee, a legal battle involving University of Tennessee quarterback Joey Aguilar is set to unfold in the courtroom, with a hearing scheduled to determine his eligibility for an additional year of college football. According to court documents, this pivotal hearing is slated for 1 p.m. on February 10 in Nashville.

This hearing is part of a broader lawsuit initiated by Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia against the NCAA, challenging the organization’s regulations. Joining Pavia in this legal challenge are several college football athletes, including Aguilar, who are contesting NCAA rules pertaining to eligibility.

The crux of the lawsuit revolves around a disputed NCAA regulation that counts seasons played at junior colleges (JUCO) toward the five-year eligibility limit for student-athletes. This rule has significant implications for players like Aguilar, who have previous JUCO experience.

In a recent decision, the NCAA granted Aguilar the ability to compete in the 2025 season, thus extending eligibility for former JUCO players by one year. However, Aguilar contends that since he participated in two JUCO seasons, he should be entitled to an additional year of eligibility beyond what is currently allowed.

As the February 3 deadline approached, both parties were required to submit a comprehensive set of documents, including affidavits, witness lists, exhibit lists, depositions, and any stipulations or motions in limine, as outlined in the court documents.

Aguilar joined the Vols last spring. He led the SEC in passing yards (3,565) and had 24 touchdowns in the air with four scores on the ground.