So far, Tennessee football has had five players opt out of the upcoming Music City Bowl clash with Illinois. Wide receiver Chris Brazzell, cornerbacks Colton Hood and Jermod McCoy, linebacker Arion Carter and edge rusher Joshua Josephs all will not play in the game.
With that said, will that be all for the Vols, or will more be joining that group? On Friday afternoon, Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel was asked about the status of his roster. He insinuated that those would be the only opt outs, and the rest of the roster that is practicing is set to play in the game.
“Some of the guys waited to announce their intentions,” Heupel said. “We’ve been practicing with the same group of guys for a while now. Planned on those guys making that announcement. We feel good about where we’re at and guys that are here ready to go play.”
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The other candidates that might have decided they were going to opt out and enter the draft would’ve been left tackle Lance Heard and quarterback Joey Aguilar. However, Heard has been practicing with the team, and Aguilar has publicly stated that he will play in the game.
Tennessee may also be getting starting tight end Miles Kitselman back, as well. He suffered an injury vs. New Mexico State that held him out of the win over Florida and the loss to Vanderbilt to round out the season. He’s working to get back for what would be the final game of his college career, and Aguilar certainly made it seem like Kitselman is tracking to play.
“It’s important, you know, he is a big aspect of our offense, in the pass and run game,” Aguilar said. “So to have him out there is super exciting. Just one more target for me.”
