Tennessee’s Chris Brazzell Declares for 2026 NFL Draft, Will Skip Music City Bowl

The SEC’s 2025 receiving leader enters the draft following a breakout year as a Tulane transfer that elevated his early-round outlook.

Overview

Brazzell announced his decision on Dec. 11 and will not play in No. 23 Tennessee’s Music City Bowl matchup against Illinois on Dec. 30 in Nashville (5:30 p.m. ET, ESPN).
He led the SEC in the regular season with 1,017 receiving yards, nine touchdown catches and 62 receptions.
The 6-foot-5 receiver averaged 16.4 yards per catch in 2025 and was a Biletnikoff Award semifinalist, with multiple outlets projecting him as an early-round draft pick.
With Brazzell out, quarterback Joey Aguilar is expected to target Braylon Staley and Mike Matthews more, while freshmen Radarious Jackson and Travis Smith take on larger roles.
Brazzell became the 10th Tennessee player to reach 1,000 receiving yards in a season, hitting the mark on Nov. 29 after transferring from Tulane in 2024.