Cedric Tillman declares for NFL Draft, opts out of Orange Bowl for Tennessee football
Tennessee football wide receiver Cedric Tillman announced Monday that he is declaring for the NFL Draft and opting out of playing in the Orange Bowl.
Tillman, a redshirt senior, played in only six games this season due to injuries. He had 417 receiving yards and three touchdowns on 37 catches this season. He recorded 1,081 yards receiving and 12 touchdowns in 2021, which earned him 2021 All-SEC second-team honors.
Tillman said in a statement he is opting out of the bowl in order to be fully healthy for the 2023 NFL Draft, adding "I will fully support my teammates" and praise for Vols coach Josh Heupel.
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"My journey as a Tennessee Volunteer has been unforgettable," Tillman wrote. "Thanks to my coaches, especially Coach Heupel, for believing in me and pushing me. Playing for Coach Heupel the past two years has been rewarding and helped me take my game to the next level."
No. 6 Tennessee (10-2) plays No. 7 Clemson (11-2) in the Orange Bowl on Dec. 30 (8 p.m. ET, ESPN) at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami.
Tillman, a preseason All-SEC selection, suffered an ankle injury against Akron on Sept. 17 and missed the following four games. He returned against Kentucky on Oct. 29 and played against Georgia on Nov. 5. Tillman had a team-high seven catches for 68 yards against the Bulldogs. He sat out against Missouri on Nov. 12 and Vanderbilt on Nov. 26.
The final catch of his Tennessee career was a 21-yard touchdown reception in the fourth quarter at South Carolina on Nov. 19. He had nine catches for 81 yards and two touchdowns in the 63-38 loss.
The Las Vegas native was invited to both the 2023 Reese's Senior Bowl and the East-West Shine Game.
The Vols already will be without quarterback Hendon Hooker, the SEC Offensive Player of the Year, against Clemson. Hooker suffered a torn ACL against South Carolina late in the season.
This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Tennessee football's Cedric Tillman in NFL Draft, out of Orange Bowl
