2025 College Football Bowl Opt-Outs Tracker – Player Updates & Injuries

• Track all the players opting out for the 2025 college football bowl season
• Notable opt-outs include Penn State’s Vega Ioane and Tennessee’s Chris Brazzell II
• Read below for complete college football bowl opt-outs, transfers, and injury updates

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The 2025 College Football Bowl Season is here. That means opt-out season is also in full swing.

Bowl games lost some appeal when the 12-team playoff launched. If you’re not in the playoff, you’re playing what amounts to an exhibition game. Top prospects aren’t risking NFL millions for exhibitions.

With more than 40 bowl games scheduled this season, tracking every player who opts out, transfers, or gets injured is tough. We’re keeping tabs on all of it right here.

This page shows a complete record of confirmed opt-outs and other player absences for each bowl game. We’ll update this tracker with new information as it comes in. Check back regularly for the latest updates.

Key College Football Bowl Opt-Outs

Penn State leads all non-playoff teams in major opt-outs. The Nittany Lions lost four starters before the Pinstripe Bowl against Clemson.

Tennessee loses its top receiver for the Music City Bowl. Arizona State heads to the Sun Bowl without its most explosive weapon. Texas is missing several key defenders for the Citrus Bowl.

Keep scrolling to see every player sitting out their bowl games.

2025 College Football Bowl Opt-Outs and Injuries

Here is the full schedule of 2025 college football bowl games. Jump to a specific bowl game by clicking a link below.

Dec. 13 Celebration Bowl | LA Bowl

Dec. 16 Salute to Veterans Bowl

Dec. 17 Cure Bowl | 68 Ventures Bowl

Dec. 18 Xbox Bowl

Dec. 19 Myrtle Beach Bowl | Gasparilla Bowl | CFP Round 1 Game 1

Dec. 20 CFP Round 1 Game 2 | CFP Round 1 Game 3 | CFP Round 1 Game 4

Dec. 22 Famous Idaho Potato Bowl

Dec. 23 Boca Raton Bowl | New Orleans Bowl | Frisco Bowl

Dec. 24 Hawai’i Bowl

Dec. 26 GameAbove Sports Bowl | Rate Bowl | First Responder Bowl

Dec. 27 Military Bowl | Pinstripe Bowl | Fenway Bowl | Pop-Tarts Bowl | Arizona Bowl | New Mexico Bowl | Gator Bowl | Texas Bowl

Dec. 29 Birmingham Bowl

Dec. 30 Independence Bowl | Music City Bowl | Alamo Bowl

Dec. 31 ReliaQuest Bowl | Sun Bowl | Citrus Bowl | Las Vegas Bowl | Cotton Bowl (CFP QF)

Jan. 1 Orange Bowl (CFP QF) | Rose Bowl (CFP QF) | Sugar Bowl (CFP QF)

Jan. 2 Armed Forces Bowl | Liberty Bowl | Duke’s Mayo Bowl | Holiday Bowl

Jan. 8 Fiesta Bowl (CFP Semifinal)

Jan. 9 Peach Bowl (CFP Semifinal)

Jan. 20 CFP National Championship

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Celebration Bowl (Dec. 13)

Here are the opt-outs for the Celebration Bowl:

Prairie View A&M

• No injuries or opt-outs reported

South Carolina State

• No injuries or opt-outs reported

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LA Bowl (Dec. 13)

Here are the opt-outs for the LA Bowl:

Boise State

• Ty Benefield, SAF (opt-out)
• Kage Casey, OT (opt-out)
• Ben Ford, WR (injury)

Washington

• Charlie Crowell, TE (injury)
• Tacario Davis, CB (injury)
• Kade Eldridge, TE (injury)
• Justice Williams, WR (injury)
• Rashid Williams, WR (injury)

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Salute to Veterans Bowl (Dec. 16)

Here are the opt-outs for the Salute to Veterans Bowl:

Jacksonville State

• Aghogho Eyafe, WR (injury)
• Lucas Farrington, RB (injury)
• Nabi Hoyt, WR (injury)
• Jalen Likely, RB (injury)
• Brock Rechsteiner, WR (injury)

Troy

• Goose Crowder, QB (injury)
• DJ Jackson Jr., DL (transfer portal)
• Tae Meadows, RB (transfer portal)

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Cure Bowl (Dec. 17)

Here are the opt-outs for the Cure Bowl:

Old Dominion

• Maurki James, RB (injury)
• Colton Joseph, QB (transfer portal)
• Titus Myers, WR (injury)

South Florida

• Jaden Alexis, WR (injury)
• Kajuan Banks, CB (opt-out)
• Byrum Brown, QB (opt-out)
• Alex Golesh, HC (hired by Auburn)
• Christian Neptune, WR (injury)
• Chas Nimrod, WR (injury)
• Cartevious Norton, RB (injury)
• Kory Pettigrew, WR (injury)
• Brandon Winton, WR (injury)
• Weston Wolff, TE (injury)

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68 Ventures Bowl (Dec. 17)

Here are the opt-outs for the 68 Ventures Bowl:

Delaware

• Thomas Amankwaa, WR (injury)
• Ja’Carree Kelly, WR (injury)
• Zach Marker, QB (injury)
• Oliver Redd, RB (injury)
• Calvin Thomas, WR (injury)
• Connor Witthoft, TE (injury)

Louisiana

• Bryant Williams, OT (transfer portal)

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Xbox Bowl (Dec. 18)

Here are the opt-outs for the Xbox Bowl:

Arkansas State

• Nana Burris, WR (injury)
• Jabari Bush, TE (injury)
• Ja’Quez Cross, TE (injury)
• Cash Hudson, OC (transfer portal)
• Tyler Little, TE (injury)

Missouri State

• Ryan Beard, HC (hired by Coastal Carolina)
• Tristian Gardner, WR (opt-out)
• JJ O’Neal, DB (opt-out)
• DJ Wesolak, DL (opt-out)

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Myrtle Beach Bowl (Dec. 19)

Here are the opt-outs for the Myrtle Beach Bowl:

Kennesaw State

• Garland Benyard, LB (injury)
• Caleb Offord, CB (injury)
• Antonio Stevens, SAF (injury)
• JeRico Washington, CB (transfer portal)

Western Michigan

• Noah Bishop, DL (injury)
• Cole Cabana, RB (injury)
• Nadame Tucker, DE (opt-out)

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Gasparilla Bowl (Dec. 19)

Here are the opt-outs for the Gasparilla Bowl:

Memphis

• Travis Burke, OT (injury)
• Oliver Castaneda, K (injury)
• Jaidyn Denis, CB (injury)
• Samson Israel, CB (transfer portal)
• Crews Law, LB (injury)
• Chauncey Logan Jr., CB (injury)
• Kourtian Marsh, DB (injury)
• Ryan Silverfield, HC (hired by Arkansas)
• Grant Troutman, QB (injury)

NC State

• Brody Barnhardt, SAF (injury)
• Sean Brown, LB (injury)
• Brandon Cleveland, DT (opt-out)
• Rente Hinton, S (injury)
• Jamel Johnson, CB (injury)
• Justin Joly, TE (opt-out)
• Devon Marshall, CB (opt-out)
• Jacarius Peak, LT (opt-out)
• Jaren Sensabaugh, CB (injury)
• Kamen Smith, OG (injury)
• Hollywood Smothers, RB (transfer portal)

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CFP Round 1 Game 1 – Alabama vs Oklahoma (Dec. 19)

Here are the opt-outs for this CFP Round 1 game:

Alabama

• Jeremiah Beaman, DL (injury)
• Zabien Brown, CB (injury)
• Kelby Collins, DL (injury)
• Josh Cuevas, TE (injury)
• Kevin Dewberry, OG (injury)
• Kameron Howard, DB (injury)
• Justin Jefferson, LB (injury)
• Dre Kirkpatrick Jr., DB (injury)
• Jah-Marien Latham, LB (injury)
• Jam Miller, RB (injury)
• LT Overton, DL (injury)
• Kevin Riley, RB (injury)

Oklahoma

• Jovantae Barnes, RB (injury)
• Troy Everett, OL (injury)
• Jake Maikkula, OG (injury)
• Jeremiah Newcombe, DB (injury)
• Heath Ozaeta, OG (injury)
• Mykel Patterson-McDonald (transfer portal)
• R Mason Thomas, DL (injury)
• Gentry Williams, CB (injury)

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CFP Round 1 Game 2 – Texas A&M vs Miami (Dec. 20)

Here are the opt-outs for this CFP Round 1 game:

Miami

• Damari Brown, CB (injury)
• Malik Bryant, LB (injury)
• Keionte Scott, DB (injury)
• Dylan Upshaw, WR (injury)

Texas A&M

• Le’Veon Moss, RB (injury)
• Jerome Myles, WR (injury)

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CFP Round 1 Game 3 – Ole Miss vs Tulane (Dec. 20)

Here are the opt-outs for this CFP Round 1 game:

Ole Miss

• Cedrick Beavers, CB (injury)
• Raymond Collins, LB (injury)
• Lane Kiffin, HC (hired by LSU – not coaching bowl game)
• Antonio Kite, CB (injury)

Tulane

• Dickson Agu, LB (injury)
• Bryce Bohanon, WR (injury)
• TJ Finley, QB (transfer portal)
• Gerrod Henderson, DL (injury)
• LeRon Husbands, TE (injury)
• Jayden Lewis, DB (injury)
• Ty Thompson, TE (injury)

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CFP Round 1 Game 4 – Oregon vs James Madison (Dec. 20)

Here are the opt-outs for this CFP Round 1 game:

James Madison

• Brandon Fique, LB (injury)
• Lee Johnson, LB (injury)
• Cam McNair, OL (injury)
• Jamal Olford, CB (injury)

Oregon

• Bryce Boulton, OL (injury)
• Solomon Davis, DB (injury)
• Dakoda Fields, CB (transfer portal)
• Jahlil Florence, CB (transfer portal)
• Kyle Kasper, WR (injury)
• Justius Lowe, WR (injury)
• Da’Jaun Riggs, RB (injury)
• Gernorris Wilson, OL (injury)

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Famous Idaho Potato Bowl (Dec. 22)

Here are the opt-outs for the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl:

Utah State

• Samson Alofipo, LB (injury)
• Jonathan Baird, S (injury)
• Byron Barnes, QB (injury)
• Naki Fahina, DL (injury)
• Jack Hadfield, CB (injury)
• Williams Holmes, LB (injury)
• Broc Lane, TE (injury)
• Demick Starling, WR (injury)
• Corey Thompson Jr., WR (injury)
• Courage Ugo, CB (injury)

Washington State

• Brock Dieu, OL (injury)
• Tony Freeman, WR (transfer portal)
• Carter Pabst, WR (injury)
• Anthony Palano, LB (transfer portal)
• Braden Pegan, WR (transfer portal)
• Jaxson Porter, QB (transfer portal)
• Kirby Vorhees, RB (transfer portal)
• Kenny Worthy, CB (transfer portal)

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Boca Raton Bowl (Dec. 23)

Here are the opt-outs for the Boca Raton Bowl:

Louisville

• Wesley Bailey, EDGE (opt-out)
• Chris Bell, WR (injury)
• Rene Konga, DT (opt-out)

Toledo

• Braden Awls, DB (transfer portal)
• Jason Candle, HC (hired by UConn)
• Chris D’Appolonia, LB (transfer portal)
• Malachi Davis, EDGE (transfer portal)
• Stephen Gales, OT (transfer portal)
• Vince Kehres, DC (hired by Syracuse)

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New Orleans Bowl (Dec. 23)

Here are the opt-outs for the New Orleans Bowl:

Southern Miss

• Blake Bustard, OT (injury)
• JJ Hawks, DL (injury)
• Charles Huff, HC (hired by Memphis)
• Corey Myrick, SAF (transfer portal)

Western Kentucky

• Dylan Flowers, CB (transfer portal)
• Caleb Nitta, OL (transfer portal)
• La’Vell Wright, RB (transfer portal)

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Frisco Bowl (Dec. 23)

Here are the opt-outs for the Frisco Bowl:

Ohio

• Michael Molnar, LB (injury)
• Max Rodarte, WR (injury)
• Brian Smith, HC (fired for cause)

UNLV

• Var’keyes Gumms, TE (injury)
• Alex Orji, QB (injury)

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Hawai’i Bowl (Dec. 24)

Here are the opt-outs for the Hawai’i Bowl:

California

• Justin Wilcox, HC (fired)

Hawai’i

• Nick Cenacle, WR (injury)
• Virdel Edwards II, CB (injury)
• Jackson Harris, WR (transfer portal)
• Jamih Otis, LB (injury)

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GameAbove Sports Bowl (Dec. 26)

Here are the opt-outs for the GameAbove Sports Bowl:

Central Michigan

• David Chapeau, P (transfer portal)
• Angel Flores, QB (injury)
• Kade Kostus, DL (transfer portal)
• Bryce Rowe, CB (injury)

Northwestern

• Fred Davis, CB (injury)
• Richie Hagarty, DL (injury)
• Aidan Hubbard, DL (injury)
• Cam Porter, RB (injury)
• Dashun Reeder, RB (injury)
• Evan Smith, CB (injury)
• Drew Wagner, WR (injury)

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Rate Bowl (Dec. 26)

Here are the opt-outs for the Rate Bowl:

Minnesota

• Za’Quan Bryan, CB (injury)
• Malachi Coleman, WR (transfer portal)
• Fame Ijeboi, RB (transfer portal)
• Matt Kingsbury, LB (injury)
• Kenric Lanier, WR (transfer portal)
• Marcellus Marshall, OG (injury)
• AJ Turner, RB (injury)

New Mexico

• Michael Buckley, WR (injury)
• Richard Pearce, OL (injury)
• Xavier Slayton, DL (injury)
• Abraham Williams, CB (injury)

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First Responder Bowl (Dec. 26)

Here are the opt-outs for the First Responder Bowl:

FIU

• Toddrick Brewton, DL (injury)
• Mister Clark, CB (transfer portal)
• Victor Evans III, CB (transfer portal)
• Keyone Jenkins, QB (injury)
• Jessiah McGrew, SAF (transfer portal)
• Daniel Michel, OT (transfer portal)
• Dwight Nunoo, LB (injury)
• Joe Pesansky, QB (injury)

UTSA

• Davin Martin, CB (transfer portal)
• KK Meier, DB (transfer portal)
• Chidera Otutu, DL (transfer portal)
• Kenny Ozowalu, DL (transfer portal)
• Houston Thomas, TE (transfer portal)
• Daemian Wimberly, EDGE (transfer portal)
• Jimmy Wyrick, SAF (transfer portal)

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Military Bowl (Dec. 27)

Here are the opt-outs for the Military Bowl:

East Carolina

• Josh Aldridge, DC (hired by South Florida)
• John David Baker, OC (hired by Mississippi)
• Jayvontay Conner, TE (transfer portal)
• Katin Houser, QB (transfer portal)
• Jimarion McCrimon, OT (transfer portal)
• London Montgomery, RB (transfer portal)
• Yannick Smith, WR (transfer portal)

Pittsburgh

• Zion Fowler-El, WR (transfer portal)
• Juelz Goff, RB (transfer portal)
• Kyle Louis, LB (NFL Draft)
• Desmond Reid, RB (NFL Draft)

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Pinstripe Bowl (Dec. 27)

Here are the opt-outs for the Pinstripe Bowl:

Clemson

• Jamal Anderson, LB (transfer portal)
• Khalil Barnes, SAF (transfer portal)
• DeMonte Capehart, DT (opt-out)
• Dee Crayton, LB (transfer portal)
• T.J. Parker, EDGE (NFL Draft)
• Avieon Terrell, CB (NFL Draft)
• Antonio Williams, WR (NFL Draft)
• Wade Woodaz, LB (injury)
• Peter Woods, DT (NFL Draft)

Penn State

• Chaz Coleman, DL (transfer portal)
• Zane Durant, DL (NFL Draft)
• James Franklin, HC (fired)
• AJ Harris, CB (transfer portal)
• Vega Ioane, OL (NFL Draft)
• Jim Knowles, DC (hired by Tennessee)
• Nicholas Singleton, RB (NFL Draft)
• Elliott Washington, CB (transfer portal)
• Zakee Wheatley, SAF (NFL Draft)

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Fenway Bowl (Dec. 27)

Here are the opt-outs for the Fenway Bowl:

Army

• Briggs Bartosh, RB (injury)
• Deshontez Gray, DL (injury)
• Tobi Olawole, WR (injury)

UConn

• Skyler Bell, WR (NFL Draft)
• Mel Brown, RB (transfer portal)
• Carsten Casady, OT (transfer portal)
• Cam Chadwick, DB (transfer portal)
• Oumar Diomande, LB (transfer portal)
• Cam Edwards, RB (transfer portal)
• Joe Fagnano, QB (NFL Draft)
• MJ Flowers, RB (transfer portal)
• Osiris Gilbert, CB (transfer portal)
• Alex Honig, TE (transfer portal)
• Jim Mora Jr., HC (hired by Colorado State)
• Ben Murawski, OT (transfer portal)
• Victor Rosa, RB (transfer portal)
• Juice Vereen, TE (transfer portal)
• Brady Wayburn, OG (transfer portal)

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Pop-Tarts Bowl (Dec. 27)

Here are the opt-outs for the Pop-Tarts Bowl:

BYU

• Choe Bryant-Strother, LB (injury)
• LJ Martin, RB (injury)

Georgia Tech

• Tana Alo-Tupuola, OL (transfer portal)
• Buster Faulkner, OC (hired by Florida)
• Melvin Jordan IV, LB (transfer portal)
• Aaron Philo, QB (transfer portal)

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Arizona Bowl (Dec. 27)

Here are the opt-outs for the Arizona Bowl:

Fresno State

• Jayden Davis, S (transfer portal)
• Tim Thomas, LB (transfer portal)

Miami (OH)

• Luke Evans, CB (transfer portal)
• Dequan Finn, QB (opt-out)
• Josh Lukusa, DL (transfer portal)
• Kam Perry, WR (transfer portal)
• Drew Terrill, OL (transfer portal)
• Adam Trick, DL (transfer portal)
• Michael Yharbrough, CB (transfer portal)

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New Mexico Bowl (Dec. 27)

Here are the opt-outs for the New Mexico Bowl:

North Texas

• Saadiq Clements, DL (transfer portal)
• Jordan Davis, OC (hired by East Carolina)
• Johnny Dickson III (transfer portal)
• Eric Morris, HC (hired by Oklahoma State)
• Jayden Williams, DT (transfer portal)

San Diego State

• Rob Aurich, DC (hired by Nebraska)
• Jared Badie, EDGE (transfer portal)
• August Salvati, EDGE (transfer portal)

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Gator Bowl (Dec. 27)

Here are the opt-outs for the Gator Bowl:

Missouri

• Marquise Davis, RB (transfer portal)
• Marquis Johnson, WR (transfer portal)
• Josh Manning, WR (transfer portal)
• Kirby Moore, OC (hired by Washington State)
• Beau Pribula, QB (transfer portal)

Virginia

• Ja’Son Prevard, CB (opt-out)

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Texas Bowl (Dec. 27)

Here are the opt-outs for the Texas Bowl:

Houston

• Demetrius Hunter, OL (opt-out)

LSU

• Aaron Anderson, WR (NFL Draft)
• Ahmad Breaux, DL (transfer portal)
• Carius Curne, OL (transfer portal)
• Mansoor Delane, CB (NFL Draft)
• Harold Perkins Jr., LB (East-West Shrine Bowl prep)

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Birmingham Bowl (Dec. 29)

Here are the opt-outs for the Birmingham Bowl:

App State

• DJ Burks, S (transfer portal)
• Thomas Davis, EDGE (transfer portal)
• Davion Dozier, WR (transfer portal)
• Williams Fowles, WR (transfer portal)
• JJ Kohl, QB (transfer portal)
• Brayshawn Littlejohn, LB (transfer portal)
• Dylan Manuel, DL (transfer portal)
• Elijah Mc-Cantos, CB (transfer portal)
• Denell Nix Jr., OT (transfer portal)
• Rondo Porter, DL (transfer portal)
• AJ Swann, QB (transfer portal)

Georgia Southern

• No injuries or opt-outs reported

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Independence Bowl (Dec. 30)

Here are the opt-outs for the Independence Bowl:

Coastal Carolina

• Tim Beck, HC (fired)
• Nick Del Grande, OT (transfer portal)
• Joseph Hanson, OL (transfer portal)

Louisiana Tech

• Evan Bullock, QB (transfer portal)
• Jacob Fields, DB (transfer portal)
• Mekhi Mason, LB (transfer portal)
• Michael Richard, DB (transfer portal)
• Omiri Wiggins, RB (transfer portal)

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Music City Bowl (Dec. 30)

Here are the opt-outs for the Music City Bowl:

Illinois

• JC Davis, OT (NFL Draft)
• Gabe Jacas, EDGE (NFL Draft)

Tennessee

• Tim Banks, DC (fired)
• Chris Brazzell II, WR (NFL Draft)
• Arion Carter, LB (NFL Draft)
• Boo Carter, CB (transfer portal)
• Jake Merklinger, QB (transfer portal)

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Alamo Bowl (Dec. 30)

Here are the opt-outs for the Alamo Bowl:

TCU

• Kendal Briles, OC (hired by South Carolina)
• Josh Hoover, QB (transfer portal)
• Paul Oyewale, DL (transfer portal)
• Nate Palmer, RB (transfer portal)

USC

• Braylon Conley, CB (transfer portal)
• Harry Dalton III, RB (transfer portal)
• Bryan Jackson, RB (transfer portal)
• DJ Jordan, WR (transfer portal)
• Makai Lemon, WR (NFL Draft)
• D’Anton Lynn, DC (hired by Penn State)
• Walker Lyons, TE (transfer portal)
• Kamari Ramsey, S (NFL Draft)
• Devan Thompkins, DL (transfer portal)

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ReliaQuest Bowl (Dec. 31)

Here are the opt-outs for the ReliaQuest Bowl:

Iowa

• Judah Mallette, WR (transfer portal)

Vanderbilt

• Drew Dickey, QB (transfer portal)

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Sun Bowl (Dec. 31)

Here are the opt-outs for the Sun Bowl:

Arizona State

• Keith Abney II, CB (opt-out)
• Josh Atkins, OT (transfer portal)
• Keyshaun Elliott, LB (opt-out)
• Max Iheanachor, RT (opt-out)
• Sam Leavitt, QB (transfer portal)
• Chamon Metayer, TE (opt-out)
• Javan Robinson, CB (transfer portal)
• Tate Romney, LB (transfer portal)
• Jordyn Tyson, WR (NFL Draft)

Duke

• Vincent Anthony Jr., EDGE (NFL Draft)
• Brian Parker II, OT (NFL Draft)
• Chandler Rivers, DB (NFL Draft)

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Citrus Bowl (Dec. 31)

Here are the opt-outs for the Citrus Bowl:

Michigan

• Jaishawn Barham, LB (opt-out)
• Giovanni El-Hadi, OL (opt-out)
• Derrick Moore, EDGE (NFL Draft)
• Sherrone Moore, HC (fired for cause)

Texas

• CJ Baxter, RB (transfer portal)
• Jaylon Guilbeau, CB (NFL Draft)
• Anthony Hill Jr., LB (NFL Draft)
• DeAndre Moore Jr., WR (transfer portal)
• Michael Taaffe, SAF (NFL Draft)
• Quintrevion Wisner, RB (transfer portal)

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Las Vegas Bowl (Dec. 31)

Here are the opt-outs for the Las Vegas Bowl:

Nebraska

• Emmett Johnson, RB (NFL Draft)
• Dasan McCullough, LB (NFL Draft)

Utah

• Logan Fano, DE (NFL Draft)
• Spencer Fano, OL (NFL Draft)
• Caleb Lomu, OL (NFL Draft)

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Cotton Bowl – CFP Quarterfinal (Dec. 31)

Here are the opt-outs for the Cotton Bowl:

TBD

• No updates yet

TBD

• No updates yet

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Orange Bowl – CFP Quarterfinal (Jan. 1)

Here are the opt-outs for the Orange Bowl:

TBD

• No updates yet

TBD

• No updates yet

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Rose Bowl – CFP Quarterfinal (Jan. 1)

Here are the opt-outs for the Rose Bowl:

TBD

• No updates yet

TBD

• No updates yet

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Sugar Bowl – CFP Quarterfinal (Jan. 1)

Here are the opt-outs for the Sugar Bowl:

TBD

• No updates yet

TBD

• No updates yet

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Armed Forces Bowl (Jan. 2)

Here are the opt-outs for the Armed Forces Bowl:

Rice

• No injuries or opt-outs reported

Texas State

• No injuries or opt-outs reported

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Liberty Bowl (Jan. 2)

Here are the opt-outs for the Liberty Bowl:

Cincinnati

• Brendan Sorsby, QB (transfer portal)

Navy

• No injuries or opt-outs reported

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Duke’s Mayo Bowl (Jan. 2)

Here are the opt-outs for the Duke’s Mayo Bowl:

Mississippi State

• No injuries or opt-outs reported

Wake Forest

• No injuries or opt-outs reported

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Holiday Bowl (Jan. 2)

Here are the opt-outs for the Holiday Bowl:

Arizona

• No injuries or opt-outs reported

SMU

• No injuries or opt-outs reported

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Fiesta Bowl – CFP Semifinal (Jan. 8)

Here are the opt-outs for the Fiesta Bowl:

TBD

• No updates yet

TBD

• No updates yet

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Peach Bowl – CFP Semifinal (Jan. 9)

Here are the opt-outs for the Peach Bowl:

TBD

• No updates yet

TBD

• No updates yet

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CFP National Championship (Jan. 20)

Here are the opt-outs for the National Championship:

TBD

• No updates yet

TBD

• No updates yet

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College Football Bowl Opt-Outs FAQ

Why do players opt out of bowl games?

Players opt out to protect their NFL draft stock from injury risk. Top prospects don’t want to jeopardize millions in potential earnings in what’s essentially an exhibition game. The most famous example is Notre Dame’s Jaylon Smith, whose Fiesta Bowl knee injury tanked his draft position.

How does the transfer portal affect bowl games?

The transfer portal opens January 2, 2026, creating a wave of player movement. Once a player enters the portal, playing for coaches they’re leaving while risking injury before a fresh start makes little sense. Schools can struggle to field full rosters after major portal exits.

Do coaching changes impact bowl rosters?

Yes. When head coaches leave for new jobs, players often follow them into the portal or opt out rather than play for interim staffs. South Florida lost its head coach to Auburn and is missing its starting QB plus multiple receivers for the Cure Bowl.

Which bowl game has the most opt-outs?

Penn State leads all non-playoff teams with four major opt-outs for the Pinstripe Bowl, including All-America guard Vega Ioane, running back Nicholas Singleton, defensive tackle Zane Durant, and safety Zakee Wheatley.

Do CFP teams have opt-outs?

Less often, but coaching changes still impact CFP rosters. Oregon lost its defensive coordinator to Cal and has two cornerbacks in the portal. Alabama is dealing with multiple injuries. Most star players stick around when a championship is on the line.

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