Tennessee Vols star opts out of Orange Bowl against Clemson
Tennessee Vols star wide receiver Cedric Tillman announced on Monday afternoon that he's declaring for the 2023 NFL Draft. Tillman also announced that he won't be playing in the Vols' Orange Bowl showdown with Clemson on December 30. This announcement doesn't come as a surprise. In fact, I'd say it was even expected. Tillman entered […]
Tennessee Vols star wide receiver Cedric Tillman announced on Monday afternoon that he's declaring for the 2023 NFL Draft.
Tillman also announced that he won't be playing in the Vols' Orange Bowl showdown with Clemson on December 30.
This announcement doesn't come as a surprise. In fact, I'd say it was even expected.
Tillman entered the 2022 season as the leading returning wide receiver in the SEC after catching 64 passes for 1,081 yards and 12 touchdowns last season.
Unfortunately, Tillman battled an ankle injury throughout the 2022 season that limited his production.
The Las Vegas native suffered a high ankle sprain in the Vols' third game of the season (against Akron). As a result, he missed games against Florida, LSU, Alabama, UT-Martin, and Vanderbilt.
Tillman did his best to battle through the injury — he caught nine passes for 81 yards and two touchdowns against South Carolina. But he wasn't able to replicate his 2021 season because of the ankle injury.
The future NFL wide receiver finished the 2022 season with 37 catches for 417 yards and three touchdowns.
Tillman will look to get 100 percent healthy as he prepares for the pre-draft process.
Featured image via Bryan Lynn-USA TODAY Sports
