Tennessee senior defensive lineman Joshua Josephs will prepare for the 2026 NFL draft, according to Volquest . He will opt out of Tennessee's postseason matchup versus Illinois in the Liberty Mutual Music City Bowl .
The 6-foot-3, 240-pound senior appeared in 48 games for Tennessee from 2022-25. He totaled 104 tackles, 22 tackles for a loss, 9.5 sacks, nine pass deflections, six forced fumbles and four fumble recoveries.
Josephs started at LEO during the 2025 regular season for the Vols. He was named SEC Defensive Lineman of the Week after his performance at Oklahoma on Sept. 23, 2024.
Josephs went to Tennessee from North Cobb High School in Kennesaw, Georgia.
Tennessee will face Illinois on Dec. 30. Kickoff between the Vols and Fighting Illini is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. EST at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tennessee. Tom Hart (play-by-play), Jordan Rodgers (analyst) and Cole Cubelic (sideline) will be on the call.
Tennessee will play for its fourth consecutive nine-win season for the first time since doing so in five straight campaigns from 1995-99.
More: Tennessee football defensive back declares for 2026 NFL draft
Follow Vols Wire on Facebook and X (formerly Twitter).
This article originally appeared on Vols Wire: Tennessee football defensive lineman will prepare for 2026 NFL draft
