Judge denies Tennessee QB Joey Aguilar's eligibility bid - ESPN

A Tennessee state judge Friday denied Tennessee quarterback Joey Aguilar's request for a preliminary injunction to play for the Volunteers this season, effectively ending his college career.

Aguilar's attorneys had argued that his two seasons of play in junior college shouldn't count toward his four years of eligibility in Division I.

Aguilar, 24, played two seasons at Diablo Valley Community College in California and two more at Appalachian State before joining the Volunteers last year.

Chancery Christopher D. Heagerty's ruling, issued in Knox County Chancery Court in Knoxville, Tennessee, is a major blow to the Volunteers, who don't have a clear apparent successor to Aguilar for this coming season.

Aguilar's attorneys wrote in court records that he stood to make about $2 million with the Volunteers this season.

It wasn't immediately clear whether Aguilar's attorneys would appeal the ruling. He is expected to take part in next week's NFL combine.

Heagerty granted Aguilar a 15-day temporary restraining order Feb. 4, noting in his ruling then that the quarterback «has demonstrated a substantial likelihood of success on the merits of his claim.»

The latest ruling is a significant victory for the NCAA, which has faced several legal challenges to its eligibility rules. A judge in Mississippi ruled last week that Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss met the criteria to receive a medical redshirt for a sixth season and is eligible to play for the Rebels this season.

«The NCAA is thankful for the judge's decision today which demonstrates the court's consideration of eligibility standards and protecting access to the collegiate experience for current and future student-athletes,» the NCAA said in a statement. «We will