Illinois Prepares for Music City Bowl Without Key Stars, But Leadership Remains Strong
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - With the Liberty Mutual Music City Bowl on the horizon, Illinois now has a clearer picture of who will - and won’t - be suiting up when they take on Tennessee in Nashville. And while the Illini will be without some of their biggest names, there’s no shortage of leadership and motivation in the locker room.
Let’s start with the headline departures. Linebacker Gabe Jacas and left tackle J.C. Davis, two of the Illini’s top performers on opposite sides of the ball, have officially opted out of the bowl game to prepare for the NFL Draft.
Head coach Bret Bielema wasn’t blindsided by the news. He acknowledged that in the current college football landscape, these decisions are part of the postseason reality - especially for players with serious NFL futures.
“Kind of knew that in the postseason if we weren’t in the playoffs, there would be a couple of guys with those decisions,” Bielema said. “Those guys moved on to their NFL opportunities, wish them the best of luck, obviously two very talented players and great guys in our program.”
Jacas has been a game-wrecker all season long, leading the Big Ten in sacks and consistently disrupting opposing backfields. He’s projected as a top-100 pick in the upcoming draft, and his absence will be felt on a defense that leaned heavily on his ability to pressure quarterbacks.
On the offensive line, Davis has been a rock at left tackle. According to PFF, he’s one of the best at his position in all of college football. His combination of size, technique, and football IQ made him a cornerstone of Illinois’ protection schemes.
The Illini will also be without redshirt junior safety Matthew Bailey, who underwent surgery on a lingering shoulder issue following the regular season. Bailey’s absence is another tough blow for the defense. He finished the year with 76 total tackles, four tackles for loss, two pass breakups, and two forced fumbles - a stat line that speaks volumes about his impact and versatility.
Bailey’s play didn’t go unnoticed. He earned All-Big Ten honorable mention honors from both coaches and media, and he’s also one of five Illini players submitted for advanced NFL evaluation - a list that also included Jacas, quarterback Luke Altmyer, defensive back Xavier Scott, and offensive lineman Melvin Priestly last season.
“I thought this year, especially, he was a guy that took a huge step in leading not only his room, but the defense, especially in moments of adversity,” Bielema said. “Super excited about his future.”
Who’s Still In? Veterans Ready for One More Ride
While some key contributors are moving on, several veteran leaders are staying put - at least for one more game.
Quarterback Luke Altmyer, who has been central to Illinois’ offensive identity, confirmed he’ll be playing in the bowl game. His decision is rooted in loyalty - to his teammates, to the university, and to the game itself.
“Bottom line is I love to play, I love to compete, I love these guys,” Altmyer said. “I respect them, I respect the university and I’d regret it if I didn’t go out there and play ball.”
He won’t be alone in suiting up for one final time in the Orange and Blue. Defensive back Miles Scott, offensive lineman Josh Kreutz, and tight end Tanner Arkin have all committed to playing in the Music City Bowl as well - a strong sign of the culture Bielema is building in Champaign.
Kreutz, a physical presence on the line and a tone-setter for the offense, didn’t hesitate when asked about playing.
“I love playing in the Blue and Orange, and I’m just ready to go out there and compete,” he said. “I mean, never pass up a chance to hit somebody.”
Scott echoed that mindset, embracing the opportunity to line up against a non-conference opponent and finish his college career on the field.
“I’m just excited to have one more opportunity to go out there and show what we can do against a different type of opponent,” Scott said. “At the end of the day, it’s still football, so I’m just excited to play one more game.”
For Arkin, it’s personal. Illinois has become home, and this final game means more than just another notch on the schedule.
“Being that Illinois is my home now, I can’t wait to go out there and give it my best shot just one last time,” Arkin said. “Do it for Illinois, do it for Coach B, do it for these boys right here most importantly and get it done.”
Looking Ahead to Dec. 30
With the bowl game set for Dec. 30, Illinois has just under two weeks to prepare for its final test of the 2025 season.
It’s a matchup that will challenge the depth of the roster, especially with NFL-bound talent on the sidelines. But it’s also a chance for returning veterans and emerging players to make a statement - and for the seniors who are sticking around, it’s one last shot to leave their mark.
The Illini may be without some of their stars in Nashville, but they’re not short on heart. And as any coach will tell you, that matters just as much when the lights come on.