As bowl season rolls on, the annual wave of opt-outs continues to reshape rosters across the country-and the Music City Bowl is no exception. When Illinois and Tennessee square off, both teams will be missing several key contributors, most of whom are turning their attention to the NFL Draft or recovering from injury.
While the College Football Playoff grabs the headlines, these bowl games still matter-to the programs, the players still suiting up, and the fans looking for a glimpse of what’s next. But make no mistake: the absences on both sidelines will have a real impact on how this one plays out.
Tennessee’s NFL-Bound Departures
For Tennessee, five players have opted out to prepare for the next level, and they’re not just depth pieces-these are guys who made their presence felt all season.
- Chris Brazzell, a dynamic wide receiver, won’t be available. His ability to stretch the field and create separation was a key piece of the Vols’ passing game.
- Jermod McCoy and Colton Hood, a pair of cornerbacks, are also out. That leaves Tennessee thinner on the back end, and against an Illinois team that likes to take calculated shots downfield, that could be something to watch.
- Joshua Josephs, an edge rusher with real burst off the line, will be missed in the pass rush department.
- Arion Carter, a linebacker who brought both range and physicality, is also out.
Tennessee has seen some players enter the transfer portal as well, but none of those were starters, so the core of their lineup remains intact outside of the NFL-bound group.
Illinois’ Key Losses: NFL Opt-Outs, Injury, and Transfers
Illinois, meanwhile, will be without a few cornerstone players of its own-each one affecting a different level of the field.
Gabe Jacas - EDGE
Let’s start with the most disruptive player on the Illini defense. Gabe Jacas has opted out, and that’s a big one.
He racked up 11 sacks this season, along with 43 total tackles, 3 forced fumbles, and a reputation for wrecking game plans. Ranked No. 48 overall on ESPN’s 2026 NFL Draft Big Board and the **No.
11 EDGE**, Jacas was the motor of Illinois’ pass rush. Without him, Illinois will need to find pressure from elsewhere-whether it’s by committee or dialing up more creative blitz packages.
J.C. Davis - Left Tackle
On the other side of the ball, J.C. Davis is also opting out.
He’s been a rock at left tackle for Illinois, starting all 12 games this season and logging 776 snaps with just one penalty. His 86.6 PFF grade speaks to how consistently he performed, especially in the run game.
Davis has been a stabilizing force on the offensive line since transferring in from New Mexico, starting the last 25 games for the Illini. With him out, Nathan Knapik, a redshirt freshman who transferred from Idaho, will make his first collegiate start.
That’s a big ask, especially against an SEC front like Tennessee’s.
Matthew Bailey - Safety
Then there’s Matthew Bailey, a leader in the secondary who’s out after undergoing surgery. While he might return next season, he’ll miss the bowl game.
Bailey posted 76 tackles this year, with 59 of them solo, and added 2 forced fumbles. He’s been playing through a shoulder issue all year, and now he’s taking the necessary steps to get right-either for a shot at the NFL or to be fully ready for spring ball.
Either way, his absence leaves a leadership void on the back end of the defense.
Transfer Departures
Illinois will also be without a handful of players who hit the portal, though none were regular contributors this season.
- Vernon Woodward III (CB) and Easton Baker (LB) didn’t see defensive snaps this year.
- Trey Petty (QB) and Jeremiah Warren (DL) didn’t start a game.
- Mario Sanders II (WR) appeared in three games, and Malik Elzy, a promising young receiver, started once in four appearances.
These exits won’t shake up the depth chart in a major way, but they do thin out the rotation and limit flexibility-especially if injuries pop up during the game.
What Bret Bielema Had to Say
Illinois head coach Bret Bielema confirmed that aside from the three key opt-outs-Jacas, Davis, and Bailey-the rest of the roster is intact and academically cleared. That’s a win in itself during bowl season, when rosters can be in flux for a dozen different reasons.
What It All Means
This Music City Bowl is shaping up to be a test of depth and adaptability for both teams. Tennessee’s missing stars on both sides of the ball, and Illinois is down its top pass rusher, a rock-solid left tackle, and a veteran safety. That’s not nothing.
For Illinois, the biggest question is whether the defensive front can generate pressure without Jacas, and whether Knapik can hold up in his first start against SEC-caliber edge rushers. For Tennessee, the challenge will be replacing the production and leadership of their NFL-bound core, especially in the secondary and at wide receiver.
These are the kinds of games that often come down to who embraces the moment-young players stepping into bigger roles, coaches adjusting on the fly, and teams finding a way to finish the season on a high note. The stars may be sitting this one out, but the stakes are still real.