University of Tennessee Athletics
Heupel Praises Bowl Prep, Aguilar Ahead of Music City Bowl
December 18, 2025 | Football
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Midway through 2025 bowl prep, Tennessee football head coach Josh Heupel met with local media on Thursday to provide updates as the Vols gear up for a Dec. 30 matchup with Illinois in the Liberty Mutual Music City Bowl. The contest marks Tennessee's first appearance in the Music City Bowl since 2021 and gives the Vols an opportunity to secure nine-plus wins for the fourth consecutive season.
Heupel noted that practices have been productive as the Vols balance roster transitions, academic milestones and bowl preparation during a busy December stretch.
"Practices as we've gotten into our preparation have been really good," Heupel said. "This time of year you're juggling a lot of different things, but we get an opportunity to play a really good Illinois football team, and we're looking forward to finishing that out before we get a little break for Christmas."
Tennessee enters the bowl matchup against an Illinois squad known for its physicality and consistency, presenting another strong test for a Volunteer program making its fifth consecutive postseason appearance under Heupel.
As the Vols prepare for what could be the final game of quarterback Joey Aguilar's storied collegiate career, Heupel also reflected on the impact the veteran signal-caller has made since arriving in Knoxville this past summer.
"We couldn't be more thankful for who he has been from the moment that he stepped foot here," Heupel said. "His ability, in a really short amount of time, to grasp what we're doing offensively, go play and execute at a really high level, was a big part of our offensive and team success this year."
Full comments from Heupel's Thursday press conference can be viewed below.Tennessee Football Press Conference | Dec. 18, 2025
Opening statement…
"How's everybody doing? Been a while, I don't think I'm going to get an opportunity to speak to you guys again or to our fans before we get to Nashville, so just want to wish everybody a Merry Christmas and look forward to seeing our fans show up in a great way when we head over to Nashville. We get an opportunity to play a really good Illinois football team. There's been a lot going on, obviously, with our roster, guys graduating and finishing their academics out of it and getting ready to go compete. So, this time of year, you're juggling a lot of different things, but it's been really good. Practices as we've gotten into our preparation have been really good, and we'll look forward to finishing that out before we get a little break for Christmas."
On the status of the roster heading into the bowl game…
"It's pretty set right now with the guys that are out there practicing and getting ready to go play in this one. A couple guys are still making decisions on their futures and getting information, and at the end of the day as guys go through that, for us, for me, and then for them, it's always about making the right decision for them, their future, their career, their families, and giving them good information."
On the quarterback position heading into the bowl game and the offseason…
"Yeah, I think it's like your entire roster, where there's moving pieces, and Jake (Merklinger) made a choice that he felt like was right for him and I support him. Jake's been a great teammate while he's been here and grown and competed. Obviously, George (MacIntyre) will be the number two here going into the bowl game. And then as we finish that up, and you enter into the portal, you know, with everything that's going on with Joey (Aguilar) and all those pieces, we'll look to put that that position in a room to help us go compete and play for a championship."
On what went into the hiring of new defensive coordinator Jim Knowles…
"You look at his track record of success building defenses that play at a at a championship level, being able to do it multiple spots, do it in in a way that fits the personnel that's there and that you can recruit too. Subtly being different, the different places that he's been. The ability to tie all three levels of it together and play really good defense. His track record of getting better every year, people that have worked with him, who he is, as far as the culture fit, he wants to be involved and grow young men. He's going to coach them hard, but love them hard too. I think put all of that together, certainly the right choice for us and where we want to go."
On QB George MacIntyre's growth through his freshman year…
"Just continued growth and understanding it, as simple as receiving a signal and being able to communicate. His command of what we're doing, decision making. He's had a good bowl preparation here as well. So, I look forward, as we continue to get closer to game day and continue to take steps."
On the recruiting process and conversations with young players, specially quarterbacks in today's landscape…
"Yeah, I think you have to be honest in today's landscape, and I think that's so that your players trust you on a consistent basis, and ultimately, information is readily available to everybody, too. So, I think being transparent, open in those lines of communication is really important. And that's not just transfer portal season. It's legitimately at every phase of what you're doing."
On what he sees from Illinois heading into the bowl game…
"Illinois, physical football team that doesn't beat themselves, has a quarterback that has played at a really high level for a long time, and their ability to run the football offensively, multiple in what they do defensively, different personnel groupings, and you've got to be prepared for all of it. So, really good test against a really good football team."
On what Joey Aguilar has meant to the program as he enters what may be his final game…
"Couldn't be more thankful for who he has been from the moment that he stepped foot here. That's being a teammate and caring about the guys around him, the culture inside of the locker room, and then certainly the player. His ability, in a really short amount of time, to grasp what we're doing offensively, go play and execute at a really high level, was a big part of our offensive and team success this year. We couldn't have had somebody come in in May and do it any better."
On the challenge of December in the current college football calendar…
"It's really hard. December used to be one of the best months inside of college football. I wouldn't call it that at this current state. You're navigating a lot of different pieces all at one time. This is still the greatest game that there is. It's great to be around young people and be a part of their growth, their journey in life, not just inside of football, but certainly that's a part of it, too. It's just, it's different than it used to be, so, you've got to navigate it. I'm not going to sit here and complain about it. It is what it is. You know, there's some things that I think have changed, rule-wise, that have helped it, balanced it out, but it's still certainly different than it used to be."
On his thoughts on the new January transfer portal window…
"I think, in general, it's been a real positive inside the landscape of what everybody's trying to deal with and navigate. I think that has been positive."
On what areas of his defense he was looking to improve with his DC hire…
"Yeah, guys that have the ability to fit what personnel you have. And, I'm saying that because we've got really good personnel, guys that are coming back, and being able to take advantage of their traits where you're not starting over from ground zero. The ability to control and command all three levels. The ability to build championship level defenses. And, I already talked about the culture piece as well. I think it's, you know, a combination of putting all those things together, is what we were looking for the right fit, and it's why we're excited about Jim."
On Jim Knowles' first few days on Rocky Top and his next steps…
"He got here on Monday, and you're starting the onboarding processes with campus and that type of thing. Then him having an opportunity to get introduced in front of the team, be able to watch practice, and what a typical week looks like from us from a practice standpoint. The ability to watch and get to know our current roster here, and get to know our staff, all of it, and so he continues to grow in his understanding of who we have here, what it is, and ultimately, a big part of it is the projection of the portal and things that we need to give our defense an opportunity to be elite."
On Jim Knowles' interactions with the current roster so far…
"He hasn't had individual meetings at this point. He's been able to sit in on some position meetings. Our 2026 recruits, had the opportunity to communicate with those guys. And that process continues on the recruiting side, you know, with '27s and then ultimately portal guys here, quickly too, coming up."
On young wideouts Radarious Jackson and Travis Smith Jr. getting an opportunity with Chris Brazzell II not participating in the bowl game…
"Those are two young guys that, as we were getting ready to go into the season that I talked highly about. Just their maturity coming in in January, their growth, both of them had injuries at the different times of the year that slowed some of that down. They've had great practices here on the back end of the season, and over the last week and a half, two weeks, and both those guys are going to get an opportunity to play a lot of football, and I expect them to go play at a really high level."
On the need to add a third quarterback entering next year…
"I mean, there's been years where we've had that happen, you know, where you've had to play a third. So, I don't want to do that, but it's happened before."
On Radarious Jackson's athleticism and catch radius…
"A guy that, as he came in, and I've said this to him, just his maturity was at a different level than I probably anticipated. And, I'm saying that in a really positive way. He had great work habits, willing to do extra, grew inside of our offense extremely quickly. But, his athletic traits, he's got the ability to make plays once the ball is in his hands, perimeter screens, he's got the ability to be a weapon in that way. But he's extremely loose and fluid, explosive. He has the ability to go attack the football and play big and long, and his ability to open up back hip, shoulders, back behind. He's got a really big catch radius. Joey's got a lot of trust in him, and Travis, as young guys."
Heupel noted that practices have been productive as the Vols balance roster transitions, academic milestones and bowl preparation during a busy December stretch.
"Practices as we've gotten into our preparation have been really good," Heupel said. "This time of year you're juggling a lot of different things, but we get an opportunity to play a really good Illinois football team, and we're looking forward to finishing that out before we get a little break for Christmas."
Tennessee enters the bowl matchup against an Illinois squad known for its physicality and consistency, presenting another strong test for a Volunteer program making its fifth consecutive postseason appearance under Heupel.
As the Vols prepare for what could be the final game of quarterback Joey Aguilar's storied collegiate career, Heupel also reflected on the impact the veteran signal-caller has made since arriving in Knoxville this past summer.
"We couldn't be more thankful for who he has been from the moment that he stepped foot here," Heupel said. "His ability, in a really short amount of time, to grasp what we're doing offensively, go play and execute at a really high level, was a big part of our offensive and team success this year."
Full comments from Heupel's Thursday press conference can be viewed below.
Tennessee Football Press Conference | Dec. 18, 2025
Head Coach Josh Heupel
Opening statement…"How's everybody doing? Been a while, I don't think I'm going to get an opportunity to speak to you guys again or to our fans before we get to Nashville, so just want to wish everybody a Merry Christmas and look forward to seeing our fans show up in a great way when we head over to Nashville. We get an opportunity to play a really good Illinois football team. There's been a lot going on, obviously, with our roster, guys graduating and finishing their academics out of it and getting ready to go compete. So, this time of year, you're juggling a lot of different things, but it's been really good. Practices as we've gotten into our preparation have been really good, and we'll look forward to finishing that out before we get a little break for Christmas."
On the status of the roster heading into the bowl game…
"It's pretty set right now with the guys that are out there practicing and getting ready to go play in this one. A couple guys are still making decisions on their futures and getting information, and at the end of the day as guys go through that, for us, for me, and then for them, it's always about making the right decision for them, their future, their career, their families, and giving them good information."
On the quarterback position heading into the bowl game and the offseason…
"Yeah, I think it's like your entire roster, where there's moving pieces, and Jake (Merklinger) made a choice that he felt like was right for him and I support him. Jake's been a great teammate while he's been here and grown and competed. Obviously, George (MacIntyre) will be the number two here going into the bowl game. And then as we finish that up, and you enter into the portal, you know, with everything that's going on with Joey (Aguilar) and all those pieces, we'll look to put that that position in a room to help us go compete and play for a championship."
On what went into the hiring of new defensive coordinator Jim Knowles…
"You look at his track record of success building defenses that play at a at a championship level, being able to do it multiple spots, do it in in a way that fits the personnel that's there and that you can recruit too. Subtly being different, the different places that he's been. The ability to tie all three levels of it together and play really good defense. His track record of getting better every year, people that have worked with him, who he is, as far as the culture fit, he wants to be involved and grow young men. He's going to coach them hard, but love them hard too. I think put all of that together, certainly the right choice for us and where we want to go."
On QB George MacIntyre's growth through his freshman year…
"Just continued growth and understanding it, as simple as receiving a signal and being able to communicate. His command of what we're doing, decision making. He's had a good bowl preparation here as well. So, I look forward, as we continue to get closer to game day and continue to take steps."
On the recruiting process and conversations with young players, specially quarterbacks in today's landscape…
"Yeah, I think you have to be honest in today's landscape, and I think that's so that your players trust you on a consistent basis, and ultimately, information is readily available to everybody, too. So, I think being transparent, open in those lines of communication is really important. And that's not just transfer portal season. It's legitimately at every phase of what you're doing."
On what he sees from Illinois heading into the bowl game…
"Illinois, physical football team that doesn't beat themselves, has a quarterback that has played at a really high level for a long time, and their ability to run the football offensively, multiple in what they do defensively, different personnel groupings, and you've got to be prepared for all of it. So, really good test against a really good football team."
On what Joey Aguilar has meant to the program as he enters what may be his final game…
"Couldn't be more thankful for who he has been from the moment that he stepped foot here. That's being a teammate and caring about the guys around him, the culture inside of the locker room, and then certainly the player. His ability, in a really short amount of time, to grasp what we're doing offensively, go play and execute at a really high level, was a big part of our offensive and team success this year. We couldn't have had somebody come in in May and do it any better."
On the challenge of December in the current college football calendar…
"It's really hard. December used to be one of the best months inside of college football. I wouldn't call it that at this current state. You're navigating a lot of different pieces all at one time. This is still the greatest game that there is. It's great to be around young people and be a part of their growth, their journey in life, not just inside of football, but certainly that's a part of it, too. It's just, it's different than it used to be, so, you've got to navigate it. I'm not going to sit here and complain about it. It is what it is. You know, there's some things that I think have changed, rule-wise, that have helped it, balanced it out, but it's still certainly different than it used to be."
On his thoughts on the new January transfer portal window…
"I think, in general, it's been a real positive inside the landscape of what everybody's trying to deal with and navigate. I think that has been positive."
On what areas of his defense he was looking to improve with his DC hire…
"Yeah, guys that have the ability to fit what personnel you have. And, I'm saying that because we've got really good personnel, guys that are coming back, and being able to take advantage of their traits where you're not starting over from ground zero. The ability to control and command all three levels. The ability to build championship level defenses. And, I already talked about the culture piece as well. I think it's, you know, a combination of putting all those things together, is what we were looking for the right fit, and it's why we're excited about Jim."
On Jim Knowles' first few days on Rocky Top and his next steps…
"He got here on Monday, and you're starting the onboarding processes with campus and that type of thing. Then him having an opportunity to get introduced in front of the team, be able to watch practice, and what a typical week looks like from us from a practice standpoint. The ability to watch and get to know our current roster here, and get to know our staff, all of it, and so he continues to grow in his understanding of who we have here, what it is, and ultimately, a big part of it is the projection of the portal and things that we need to give our defense an opportunity to be elite."
On Jim Knowles' interactions with the current roster so far…
"He hasn't had individual meetings at this point. He's been able to sit in on some position meetings. Our 2026 recruits, had the opportunity to communicate with those guys. And that process continues on the recruiting side, you know, with '27s and then ultimately portal guys here, quickly too, coming up."
On young wideouts Radarious Jackson and Travis Smith Jr. getting an opportunity with Chris Brazzell II not participating in the bowl game…
"Those are two young guys that, as we were getting ready to go into the season that I talked highly about. Just their maturity coming in in January, their growth, both of them had injuries at the different times of the year that slowed some of that down. They've had great practices here on the back end of the season, and over the last week and a half, two weeks, and both those guys are going to get an opportunity to play a lot of football, and I expect them to go play at a really high level."
On the need to add a third quarterback entering next year…
"I mean, there's been years where we've had that happen, you know, where you've had to play a third. So, I don't want to do that, but it's happened before."
On Radarious Jackson's athleticism and catch radius…
"A guy that, as he came in, and I've said this to him, just his maturity was at a different level than I probably anticipated. And, I'm saying that in a really positive way. He had great work habits, willing to do extra, grew inside of our offense extremely quickly. But, his athletic traits, he's got the ability to make plays once the ball is in his hands, perimeter screens, he's got the ability to be a weapon in that way. But he's extremely loose and fluid, explosive. He has the ability to go attack the football and play big and long, and his ability to open up back hip, shoulders, back behind. He's got a really big catch radius. Joey's got a lot of trust in him, and Travis, as young guys."
Players Mentioned
QB
/ Football
WR
/ Football
WR
/ Football
QB
/ Football
WR
/ FootballFB | Josh Heupel Press Conference (12.18.25)
Thursday, December 18
FB | Jeremiah Telander Media Availability (12.16.25)
Tuesday, December 16
FB | Braylon Staley Media Availability (12.16.25)
Tuesday, December 16
FB | David Sanders Jr. Media Availability (12.16.25)
Tuesday, December 16
