Vols Embrace Homecoming Vibes Ahead of Music City Bowl Clash with Illinois
NASHVILLE, Tenn. - For Tennessee football, the 2025 Music City Bowl is more than just the final game of the season - it’s a homecoming. When the Vols take the field at Nissan Stadium on Dec. 30, they won’t just be playing for a bowl win. They’ll be playing in front of friends, family, and a whole lot of orange-clad supporters right in their backyard.
Kickoff is set for 5:30 p.m. ET, and the energy around the team this week has been electric - not just because of the matchup with Illinois, but because so many players are getting the rare chance to suit up close to home.
Redshirt sophomore defensive lineman Nathan Robinson, a Midstate native, summed it up best: “I’m sure there will be a big group out there ready to support us. It’s going to be a lot of fun playing in Nashville, being able to have a lot of people that I’m familiar with and close to be able to come out pretty easily.”
That kind of local love matters. For players like Robinson, it’s not just another game - it’s a chance to show out in front of the folks who’ve been in their corner since high school Friday nights.
For redshirt senior defensive back William Wright, this one hits even harder. A Nashville native, Wright will close the book on his college career right where it all started - in his hometown, under the lights of Nissan Stadium.
“It’s awesome,” Wright said. “Of course, we get to play in Nissan Stadium, so that’s a dream come true.
Coming as a little kid, going to the games and things like that. Always a good opportunity to play there, and then of course, being home for the holidays.”
That kind of full-circle moment is rare in college football, and it’s not lost on Wright or his teammates.
Redshirt freshman offensive lineman Jesse Perry, another Midstate product, echoed the sentiment. He’s been soaking up every second of bowl week - not just for the football, but for the connections, the conversations, and the chance to represent his home state alongside teammates from all over the country.
“I’ve had a lot of fun,” Perry said. “It’s just cool being back home.
I was able to drive back from my house on Christmas up here. Being able to talk to players from out of state, just being able to tell them about Tennessee football is really cool.”
That’s the kind of intangible that doesn’t show up in the box score - but it matters. The bond between local players and their community, the pride of representing your state on a big stage, and the energy that comes from playing in front of a hometown crowd - all of it can be a spark.
Tennessee will need that spark when they line up against Illinois. But for now, the Vols are embracing the moment.
This week isn’t just about preparing for a bowl game. It’s about coming home.