When Tennessee football takes the field on Tuesday for the Music City Bowl vs. Illinois, the Vols might get a starter back from injury. Miles Kitselman, who was the starting tight end when healthy, missed the last two games of the season after an injury against New Mexico State.
Tennessee starting quarterback Joey Aguilar was asked about the potential of Kitselman returning for the bowl game. He insinuated that Kitselman could be back on the field.
“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.”
This season, Kitselman posted 25 receptions for 250 yards and two touchdowns. He also has one carry for two yards.
This is the second season Kitselman has spent at Tennessee. He started his career at Hutchinson CC before playing a pair of seasons with Alabama. He is out of eligibility following this season.
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If Kitselman is able to play, it’d add a veteran option at the position for Tennessee. Not only has Aguilar formed a connection with him in the pass game, but Kitselman has done a strong job inserting himself into the run game as a blocker.
Without Kitselman during the final two games of the season, Ethan Davis saw a much bigger role. With those extra opportunities, he made the most of it. Against Florida, he posted five receptions for 72 yards and a score. The next week against Vanderbilt, he recorded seven catches for 85 yards.
Other tight ends in the room are freshmen Jack Van Dorselaer and DaSaahn Brame and redshirt freshman Cole Harrison.
Kickoff for the Music City Bowl is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. ET in Nashville. It will air on ESPN and be played at Nissan Stadium, the home of the NFL’s Tennessee Titans.
