The Tennessee Vols will have most of their roster available for their matchup on Dec. 30 against the Illinois Fighting Illini in the Music City Bowl.

So far, the only Tennessee starters that have opted out of the bowl game are linebacker Arion Carter and wide receiver Chris Brazzell (cornerback Jermod McCoy, who didn’t play in 2025 while recovering from a torn ACL, has also opted out of the bowl game).

Defensive lineman Joshua Josephs, cornerback Colton Hood, and offensive tackle Lance Heard are also candidates to opt out of the Music City Bowl.

The feeling is that it’s likely that Josephs and Hood will opt out. Heard, however, is trending toward playing against Illinois.

Vols insider gives the latest on Lance Heard’s status

VolQuest’s Brent Hubbs joined 104.5 The Zone’s Ramon and Will on Friday for his weekly appearance and he shared the latest on Heard’s looming decision (bowl game and NFL Draft decision).

“I do expect him to play,” said Hubbs of Heard. “He’s going through everything. I think he is planning on playing and will play. I think he’s still waiting on some feedback from the NFL, but I think he’s wanting to keep all of his options open. What does he feel like he can do in terms of improving his (NFL Draft) stock? [Is] it another year in college football? Where does he think he would be drafted if he came out now? What does the NFL tell him he needs to work on? He likes it at Tennessee. Obviously, this year has been much better than a year ago.

“I think what’s interesting with Tennessee is where are they at the tackle position? Is this a situation where you look at him and say, ‘Man, we should put all of this (offensive line) back together.’ And somebody’s got to play right tackle, because David Sanders certainly wants to play left [tackle] — he’s a left tackle. Lance Heard’s a left tackle. Who would be willing to play right tackle? And then, from a financial standpoint, do you feel like you can be just as effective on your offensive line if Lance Heard were to go somewhere else, and you save money doing it that way? I mean, those are the CEO decisions that football coaches at the college level are having to make now — which they’ve never had to make before. Those are things that obviously will be a discussion point, I’m sure, with Lance Heard and his agent, whenever he gets to the point of making a decision about the NFL. And then, if it’s not the NFL, what his decision will be about where he plays college football moving forward.”

Plans can change at a moment’s notice in college football — especially in December (someone has to fix the college football calendar) — but for now, it sounds like Heard will be on the field when Tennessee takes on Illinois on Dec. 30 in Nashville.

As for as Heard’s future on Rocky Top, we should know by New Year’s whether he plans to return in 2026.

And ultimately, I think Tennessee will be a better team next fall if Heard is on the roster — regardless of whether he plays left or right tackle.

Tennessee Volunteers News

Talented defender that has an elite nickname thanks to new Vols defensive coordinator Jim Knowles is entering the NCAA transfer portal

The Tennessee Vols are expected to add some defensive players to their roster via the NCAA transfer portal.

Zach Ragan