Vols’ Joshua Josephs Opts Out of Music City Bowl as Illinois Loses Key Starters

The bowl becomes an audition for younger Tennessee players after multiple draft-driven withdrawals on both sides.

Overview

Tennessee edge rusher Joshua Josephs will skip the Dec. 30 game to prepare for the 2026 NFL Draft, becoming at least the fifth Vol to opt out alongside Chris Brazzell II, Arion Carter, Jermod McCoy and Colton Hood.
No. 23 Tennessee (8-4) faces Illinois (8-4) in Nashville at Nissan Stadium on Dec. 30 at 5:30 p.m. ET on ESPN.
Head coach Josh Heupel said the staff anticipated the announcements and practiced with the expected lineup throughout December.
Jordan Ross and Caleb Herring will handle Josephs’ edge snaps, freshmen Radarious Jackson and Travis Smith are set to fill in for Brazzell at receiver, and a youthful secondary featuring Ty Redmond with Tre Poteat or William Wright plus Timothy Merritt will see larger roles.
Illinois will be without top pass rusher Gabe Jacas and left tackle J.C. Davis due to opt-outs, with safety Matthew Bailey out injured, and analysts suggest those absences could tilt the matchup toward higher scoring.