Read: Cedric Tillman thanks Tennessee fans, teammates, staff after opting out of bowl
Tennessee receiver Cedric Tillman announced on Monday that he is opting out of the Orange Bowl against Clemson to get healthy and begin preparing for the NFL Draft.
The redshirt senior season explained his decision, and thanked Tennessee fans, while announcing the news:
Cedric Tillman’s thank you to staff, fans on social media
“My journey as a Tennessee Volunteer has been unforgettable. From Las Vegas to Knoxville, the past five years have shaped me in so many ways.
“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.
“Thanks to my teammates. We have been through so much and built a brother hood that will last forever. I am so proud of what we have accomplished in putting Tennessee back on the map.
Thank you Vol Nation. I will always bleed orange 🧡🧡 pic.twitter.com/ZV7dkdEFws
— Cedric Tillman (@Ctillman04) December 12, 2022
“Thanks to the support staff from academics, equipment, athletic training and nutrition for helping all of along the way.
“Thanks to Vol Nation — there is truly no greater fanbase in the country. Your year-round support, the energy you provide on gameday no matter if we were home or on the road, is something I will never forget.
“I’d like to thank God and my family for their support during this process. Though I battled through injury this season, I am grateful I returned for my 2022 senior year and now I turn my attention to the next level. In order to be fully healthy and ready to go as I prepare for the 2023 NFL Draft, I will not play in the Orange Bowl but will fully support my teammates.”
No. 6 Tennessee vs. No. 7 Clemson, Orange Bowl, Dec. 30, 8 p.m. ET, ESPN
Tillman had a breakout redshirt junior season in 2021, catching 64 passes for 1,081 yards — fifth most in Tennessee football history — and 12 touchdowns.
This season he was limited to just six games played due to a high-ankle sprain suffered in a 63-6 win over Akron in September at Neyland Stadium. Tillman caught 37 passes for 417 yards and three touchdowns over his final six games with the Vols.
The 6-foot-3, 215-pound Tillman was a three-star prospect in the 2018 recruiting cycle, ranked No. 1,592 overall in the On3 Consensus. He was the No. 251 overall wide receiver and the No. 12 overall prospect out of Nevada, where he attended Bishop Gorman High School in Las Vegas.
Last week ESPN NFL Draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. had Tillman ranked as his No. 8 overall wide receiver among prospects eligible for the draft. Tennessee’s Jalin Hyatt is No. 6.
Justin Hunter was Tennessee’s last receiver to go over 1,000 yards in a season before Tillman went for 1,081 yards last year. Hyatt made it back-to-back seasons with 1,000-yard receivers under Josh Heupel, going for 1,267 yards and a program-record 15 touchdowns.
