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Cedric Tillman announces he won't play in Orange Bowl as he prepares for NFL Draft

Chandler Vesselsby:Chandler Vessels•12/12/22•

ChandlerVessels

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Jeffrey Vest/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Tennessee receiver Cedric Tillman will not play in the Orange Bowl against Clemson as he focuses on his health for the NFL Draft, he announced Monday via Twitter. The fifth-year senior will end his college career with 1,622 yards receiving and 17 touchdowns.

Tillman had a breakout season in 2021, finishing with 64 catches for 1,081 yards and 12 touchdowns. That led to him being expected to take on a large role in the offense in 2022, however, he was limited due to injuries and played just six games. He finished the season with 37 catches for 417 yards and three touchdowns.

According to ESPN, Tillman ranks as the sixth-best receiver prospect in the 2023 NFL Draft. He will have a chance to improve his stock both at the Senior Bowl in February and later the NFL combine.

More on the 2023 NFL Draft

The 2023 NFL Draft is set to take place from Thursday, April 27 through Saturday, April 29 in Kansas City, Missouri. The event will be held at the plaza just outside of Union Station.

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Round 1 of the NFL Draft is set to begin at 8 p.m. ET on Thursday, Apr. 27. Rounds 2-3 will begin at 7 p.m. ET on Friday, Apr. 28, and Rounds 4-7 will begin at 12 p.m. ET on Saturday, Apr. 29. The draft will be broadcasted throughout the weekend on both ESPN and NFL Network.

To be eligible for the NFL Draft, players must be at least three years removed from their final year of high school while having used up their collegiate eligibility. Underclassmen are able to request league approval to become eligible for the draft, as are players who have graduated prior to using up all of their collegiate eligibility. 100 underclassmen were approved for last year’s draft. 73 of those 100 underclassmen were granted special eligibility while 27 of them were underclassmen who had completed their college degrees.

The 2023 NFL scouting combine will take place from Feb. 28 through March 6 in Indianapolis.