It hasn’t just been Joey Aguilar that has quickly integrated himself with Tennessee football but his entire family. Joey’s mother, Lydia Aguilar, has been active on social media and doing interviews with local media to tell Joey’s story and express appreciation for the way Vol nation has embraced her son.
Lydia had been at each of Tennessee’s first three games of the season as Joey played well in lopsided wins over Syracuse and ETSU and in a heartbreaking loss against Georgia a week ago. But Lydia was not in Knoxville for the Vols’ 56-24 win over UAB Saturday afternoon.
It turns out she had a pretty good reason. Lydia welcomed the birth of her grandson Leonel “Leo” Alvaro Olaez Aguilar Thursday night. Joey’s nephew was rocking orange in California as Tennessee improved to 1-0 in Leo’s lifetime.
The reason why I’m watching from home.
Tio Joeys #1 fan ~ my grandson ~ Leo
GB🍊! 🧡 pic.twitter.com/HlZaP8HqcI— LydiaAguilar220 (@Lydia220Aguilar) September 20, 2025
Aguilar played just one half and one drive, completing 15-of-22 passes for 218 yards, three touchdowns and one interception in Tennessee’s win over UAB. Aguilar also rushed for 11 yards on three total carries.
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Now through four games this season, Aguilar has completed 78-of-117 passes for 1,124 yards, 12 touchdowns and three interceptions. Aguilar has exceeded even the highest expectations for the transfer quarterback through the first quarter of the season, helping Tennessee’s offense look more like it did in 2021 and 2022 than it did the last two seasons.
“What I love about him is, whether it’s good play, bad play, good series, bad series, same demeanor coming off on the sideline,” Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel said. “He goes and approaches the next play, next series the same way. He’s aggressive, but playing smart football. And he’s got the one pick (against UAB), gets batted up in the air, and he comes back, resets and goes and plays the next series. And I think that’s one of a lot of elite traits that he has.”
Tennessee now prepares for five straight SEC games starting with its first road game of the season next week at Mississippi State. With matchups against strong Mississippi State and Arkansas offenses, the Vols need to perform well offensively to win.
Aguilar has shown an ability to do just that. Lydia is likely to be back at the games in person to watch her son’s final collegiate season.
