As bowl season approaches, Tennessee football is navigating the new normal in college football - a shifting roster landscape shaped by NFL Draft opt-outs and the ever-active transfer portal. For the Volunteers, the upcoming Music City Bowl matchup against Illinois won’t feature the same roster fans saw during the regular season, but that’s par for the course in today’s game.
Tennessee already knows it will be without three key players who are headed to the next level: cornerback Jermod McCoy, wide receiver Chris Brazzell II, and linebacker Arion Carter have all declared for the NFL Draft and won’t suit up in Nashville. That’s a trio of high-impact players who’ve made their mark on both sides of the ball this season, and their absence will be felt.
Head coach Josh Heupel made it clear the program fully supports these decisions.
“You get to the end of the season, we’re in a bowl, the players are going through the process and we want to be there to help them and support them,” Heupel said. “It’s always about what the right decision is for the player and the family and his future. I’m excited for those guys - they’re going to play at the next level, and we’re here to help them through that journey.”
It’s the kind of approach that’s becoming more common across college football - a recognition that bowl season is as much about celebrating a player’s future as it is about closing out the current season.
There are still a few names to watch as Tennessee finalizes its roster. LEO Joshua Josephs, cornerback Colton Hood, and offensive tackle Lance Heard haven’t made official announcements yet, but they’re among the players still weighing their options. Whether it’s considering a jump to the NFL or exploring the transfer portal, these are decisions that could impact Tennessee’s depth chart on game day.
One player who’s already confirmed he’ll be suiting up? Quarterback Joey Aguilar.
That’s a big one. With so much uncertainty around bowl rosters, having your starting quarterback locked in is a stabilizing force, especially against a physical Big Ten opponent like Illinois.
As for the transfer portal, Tennessee has seen six players enter so far: quarterback Jake Merklinger, defensive back Boo Carter, defensive lineman Jamal Wallace, edge rusher Kellen Lindstrom, linebacker Brenden Anes, and defensive back Marcus Goree Jr. None were major contributors this season, so while the departures thin the roster, they don’t dramatically alter the on-field product.
With less than two weeks until kickoff, Heupel says the roster is “pretty set” for the Music City Bowl.
“A couple guys are still making decisions on their futures and getting information,” he said. “At the end of the day, it’s about making the right decision for them, their future, their career, their families - and giving them good information.”
That kind of transparency and support is becoming a hallmark of how programs manage this new era of college football - one where bowl games serve as both a final chapter and a launching pad.
The Music City Bowl kicks off Dec. 30 at 5:30 p.m. ET at Nissan Stadium in Nashville and will be broadcast on ESPN. The transfer portal officially opens on Jan. 2, 2026, but for now, Tennessee’s focus is squarely on the field - and on finishing strong.