With NIL money flooding college football, courtrooms have been filled with graduates who want to stay in college and keep getting paid millions to do so. The Tennessee Football team has not been immune to this, and unlike Ole Miss, which benefited greatly from a decision on quarterback Trinidad Chambliss, the Volunteers were not as lucky. A judge has ruled against the team’s quarterback, Joey Aguilar, refusing to give him another year of college eligibility.
Chambliss had won a judge’s approval after showing he was medically unable to play early in his college career. Aguilar, on the other hand, argued that his two seasons in junior college should not count towards his NCA eligibility since they are not the governing body for JUCO football. His court decided that eligibility rules do not apply to NCAA students only, but to student-athletes at every collegiate level, including junior college.
Tennessee Football Transfer Portal
The Volunteers were unable to secure a top name in the transfer portal to fill the shoes of Aguilar, who threw the ball more than Arch Manning or Julian Sayin last season (404 attempts). He also completed 67.3% of those passes for 274.2 yards per game (12th in the nation) and 24 touchdowns. Tennessee football is all about airing out the football, and now they don’t have the guy who did if for them last year.
The transfer portal brought in Colorado backup Ryan Staub. He attempted only 55 passes in 2025 and had three touchdown passes to four interceptions. It is unlikely he is the answer the team is hoping for. Had the judge’s decision come quicker in the Chambliss case, Tennessee might have had a shot at Auburn’s Deuce Knight, but now he will be a backup for Ole Miss.
Tennessee Football Freshmen Have A Chance To Shine
It would not be surprising to see a couple of true freshmen play big roles in the Tennessee offense and put up big numbers doing it. Similar to the impact that Bryce Underwood had for Michigan in 2025, the Volunteers may be hoping for equal or better production from incoming five-star quarterback Faizon Brandon. The 6’4 signal caller was the Gatorade Player of the Year in North Carolina for 2025. ESPN has him listed as a true pocket passer, and the third-best quarterback in his class behind Keissen Henderson (Houston) and Jared Curtis (Vanderbilt).
Brandon will be joined by five-star receiver TK Keys. The second-best receiver in his class, he gives Brandon a 6’3, 190-pound target to throw to. After hauling in 58 catches for 1,275 yards as a junior, he played a shortened season last year. He had 17 catches for 346 yards and four touchdowns in four games as a senior. He was a power forward on his high school basketball team, so he can go up and get the ball. Both freshmen standouts could electrify in 2026.
Tennessee Football 2026
Because the freshmen have not played at the collegiate level, and Tennessee’s transfer quarterback has barely played, the entire 2026 season is a question mark. The team could surprise everyone and be a force in the NCAA this year, but it’s more likely they will be handicapped by the loss of their starting quarterback and the inexperience that’s replacing him. Volunteer fans may be in for a rough year.
