2023 College Football Roster News: Transfer Portal, Bowl Opt-Outs & Injury Tracker

The college football news cycle is unending.

With the transfer portal opening up, there's movement taking place all over the country. And with Conference Championship Week in the rearview mirror, the same can be said for the coaching carousel.

The player and coach movement can be hard to keep track of at times.

In fact, there are already 16 bowl teams with their starting quarterback in the transfer portal: Oklahoma, Eastern Michigan, Coastal Carolina, Miami (OH), Ohio State, UCLA, Boise State, Oregon State, Duke, Minnesota, Texas A&M, Miami, Kansas State, Toledo, James Madison and Utah.

Meanwhile, three schools' quarterbacks — USC, SMU and Florida State — are already confirmed out. There are a number of potential opt-outs to watch for as well.

Below, you will find a running log of the all-important news for each individual bowl game. I will continuously update this file as more news comes in regarding transfers, injuries and opt-outs for players with at least 15 snaps this season, so make sure you periodically check back if you want to double-check any game information before placing a bet.

And remember — just because a player enters the transfer portal doesn't mean they can't play in the bowl.

For convenience, the bowls are listed in chronological order below.

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Georgia Southern Eagles

Transfer Portal

• CB Jalen Denton (184 snaps; hasn't played since Week 7)

Injuries

• Leading rusher Jalen White (504 snaps) and starting OLB Isaac Walker (530 snaps) didn't play in the regular-season finale.

Opt-Outs

• TE Keaton Upshaw (16 catches)

Misc.

WR Anthony Queeley (28 catches, 275 yards) is not listed on the depth chart this week despite being listed as a co-starter in previous weeks.

Ohio Bobcats

Transfer Portal

• Starting QB Kurtis Rourke (675 snaps)
• Starting WR Miles Cross (617 snaps)
• Starting RB Sieh Bangura (483 snaps)
• Backup RB O’Shaan Allison (335 snaps)
• WR/TE Aramoni Rhone (59 snaps)
• LB Keye Thompson (665 snaps)

Injuries

Ohio already lost WR Jacoby Jones to an injury earlier this season. As a result, the Bobcats are likely down their starting quarterback, top two backs and two of top three wideouts.

With backup CJ Harris, who led Ohio to a bowl victory last season, also out for the year, the Bobs will turn to Parker Navarro, who would be the team's leading rusher (107) and passer (65) left on the roster.

Jacksonville State Gamecocks

Transfer Portal

• PK Alen Karajic

Injuries

• Starting CB Jabari Mack (400 snaps) hasn't played since Week 8.
• Stud EDGE Jaylen Swain (500 snaps) didn't play in the regular-season finale.

Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns

Transfer Portal

• Starting LB Kendré Gant (536 snaps)
• S Cejae Caesar (33 snaps)

Injuries

• Starting LT Nathan Thomas (765 snaps; will miss bowl due to offseason surgery)

Head coach Michael Desormeaux said he's hopeful starting S Courtline Flowers (592 snaps) and starting C Landon Burton (606 snaps) are healthy enough to play in the bowl after missing time to end the season.

Miami (OH) RedHawks

Transfer Portal

• Starting QB Aveon Smith (342 snaps)
• CB Jeremiah Caldwell (87 snaps)

Injuries

• With Brett Gabbert out for the year, Henry Hesson — who has attempted five collegiate passes — will get the start under center if Smith doesn't suit up.
• No. 1 WR Gage Larvadain returned for the MAC title game.

Appalachian State Mountaineers

Transfer Portal

• EDGE Donovan Spellman (150 snaps)
• RB Nate Noel (401 snaps; leading rusher)
• WR Dashuan Davis (337 snaps)
• WR Milan Tucker (247 snaps)

New Mexico State Aggies

New Mexico State QB Diego Pavia injured his elbow in the CUSA title game but is expected to play.

Transfer Portal

• WR Trent Hudson (458 snaps; 35 catches, 10 TDs)
• WR PJ Johnson (82 snaps)
• CB Reggie Akles (395 snaps)
• DB Malachi McLean (83 snaps)

Fresno State Bulldogs

Fresno State head coach Jeff Tedford will be "stepping away" due to health concerns. Assistant head coach and linebackers coach Tim Skipper will serve as the interim head coach.

Transfer Portal

• Backup QB Logan Fife
• S Chrishawn Gordon (282 snaps)
• LB Raymond Scott (179 snaps)
• LB Tanner Blount (15 snaps)

Injuries

• Starting LT Jacob Spomer (641 snaps) was lost for the season.
• Starting DT Gavriel Lightfoot (382 snaps) was limited to only four snaps over the final two games.

Boise State Broncos

Transfer Portal

• Starting QB Taylen Green
• EDGE Kivon Wright (10 snaps)

Injuries

• Starting WR Stefan Cobbs hasn’t played since Week 10
• Other QB Maddux Madsen out for the season

With Green committing to Arkansas and Maddux out for the season, true freshman CJ Tiller or walk-on Colt Fulton will start at quarterback. Tiller has received the majority of first-team reps and is the most likely candidate to start.

Misc.

• WR Eric McAlister is no longer with the team.

Star running back Ashton Jeanty will play in the bowl game.

UCLA Bruins

Transfer Portal

• QB Dante Moore (part of rotation during season)
• ATH Keegan Jones (105 snaps)
• WR Kam Brown (332 snaps; hasn’t played since week 9)
• TE Carsen Ryan (365 snaps)
• G Jake Wiley (93 snaps)
• S William Nimmo (345 snaps)
• S Kamari Ramsey (578 snaps)
• CB John Humphrey 614 snaps)

Opt-Outs

• Stud EDGE Laiatu Latu (535 snaps; PAC-12 DPOY)

Injuries

• QB Ethan Garbers will likely be available after suffering an injury in Week 13.
• DT Gary Smith (247 snaps) missed the final two regular-season games with an injury.

Coaching Changes

• Defensive coordinator D'Anton Lynn left for the same job with USC
• QB coach Ryan Gunderson took Oregon State OC gig

Misc.

Starting RB Carson Steele (424 snaps) was once again not spotted at practice on Tuesday, Dec. 12.

Texas Tech Red Raiders

Transfer Portal

• QB Tyler Shough (not starting at end of year)
• Starting WR Myles Price (438 snaps)
• Starting WR Jerand Bradley (613 snaps)
• WR Loic Fouonji (82 snaps)
• Backup RB Cam'Ron Valdez (91 snaps)
• TE Jayden York (89 snaps)
• WR Nehemiah Martinez (45 snaps; fell out of rotation)
• WR JJ Sparkman (133 snaps)
• Starting LT Monroe Mills (894 snaps, two sacks allowed)
  • Ty Buchanan will be likely replacement.
• OT Matt Keeler (3 snaps)
• OG Landon Peterson (30 snaps)
• WR Nehemiah Martinez (two catches)

Injuries

• Head coach Joey Maguire said he expects QB Behren Morton to finally be at 100% health for the bowl game.
• Stud starting DT Jaylon Hutchings (491 snaps) had surgery and will miss the bowl.
• Starters S Tyler Owens (519 snaps) and DE Steve Linton (295 snaps) didn't play in the finale.
• Starting LG Cole Spencer (373 snaps) hasn't played since Week 5 due to a toe injury.

Misc.

Head coach Joey McGuire said the starting receivers will likely be Jordan Brown and Coy Eakin on the outside with Drae McCray and Xavier White in the slot. Tight ends Mason Tharp or Baylor Cupp could replace one of the inside receivers depending on the formation.

Running back Tahj Brooks (724 snaps) has announced he will stay at Texas Tech for another year.

Cal Golden Bears

Transfer Portal

• QB Ben Finley (not starting at end of year)
• QB Sam Jackson V (five games)
• Backup OL Everett Johnson (13 snaps)
• OL Brayden Rohme (105 snaps; started a few games)
• LB Kaleb Elarms-Orr (700 snaps; leading tackler)
• CB Jeremiah Earby (447 snaps)
• LB Blake Antzoulatos (105 snaps; hasn’t played since Week 10)

Injuries

• Cal starting linebacker Jackson Sirmon (354 snaps) was lost for the season after Week 6.

Fernando Mendoza will likely start at quarterback, while Belay Brummel and Tyler Jensen would serve as the backups.

Misc.

Head coach Justin Wilcox announced that wide receiver Taj Davis (469 snaps) is no longer with the program.

Western Kentucky Hilltoppers

Transfer Portal

• Stud starting LG Quantavious Leslie (two-time first-team CUSA; 787 snaps)
• Starting C Vincent Murphy (822 snaps)
• Starting RT Wes Dorsey (678 snaps)
• Starting CB Upton Stout (418 snaps)
• Starting LB Desmyn Baker (472 snaps)
• Starting S Talique Allen (573 snaps)
• CB Tj Springer (273 snaps)
• Backup QB Caden Veltkamp
• S Kendrick Simpkins (four FF, 6.5 sacks, one PBU)

Hearing reports some of these players could still play in the bowl.

Potential Opt-Outs

NFL prospect WR Malachi Corley is worth watching. Reports have surfaced that starting QB Austin Reed could miss the bowl. With backup Caden Veltkamp in portal, redshirt freshman Turner Helton (21 snaps) would likely get the start.

Old Dominion Monarchs

Transfer Portal

• WR Javon Harvey (431 snaps)
• WR Jordan Bly (180 snaps; lost playing time at end of year)
• Starting S Terry Jones (743 snaps; 107 tackles this season)
• DL Devin Brandt-Epps (245 snaps)
• WR Marquez Bell (26 snaps)
• Starting P Ethan Duane

Injuries

• Star LB Jason Henderson (861 snaps; nation's leading tackler) will miss the bowl game.

UTSA Roadrunners

Head coach Jeff Traylor will stay with UTSA.

Transfer Portal

• CB Syrus Dumas (51 snaps; hasn’t played since Week 9)
• AAC Defensive Player of the Year EDGE Trey Moore (502 snaps)

Marshall Thundering Herd

Transfer Portal

• Starting QB Cam Fancher (692 snaps)
  • QB Cole Pennington now set to start.
• Marshall C/G anchor Trent Holler (725 snaps)
• WR Caleb Coombs (338 snaps)
• TE Sean Sallis (63 snaps)

Coaching Changes

• Hired Purdue TEs coach Seth Doege as offensive coordinator.

Injuries

• Starting S J.J. Roberts (581 snaps) missed the final two games.

Opt-Outs

While nothing is official, keep an eye on the status of RB Rasheen Ali (589 snaps).

USF Bulls

This marks USF's first bowl since 2018.

Transfer Portal

• QB Gerry Bohanon (didn’t play this year)
• S Will Jones II (169 snaps; started late in year)
• Starting OLB Lloyd Summerall (305 snaps; left team after Week 10)

Injuries

Starting LG Andrew Kilfoyl (576 snaps) didn't play the final few games, while starting RG Zane Herring (736 snaps) left the regular-season finale with an injury

Syracuse Orange

Coaching Changes

• Head coach Dino Babers has been fired (Nunzio Campanile to serve as interim head coach).
• Texas A&M's Elijah Robinson hired as defensive coordinator, but won't join the team until after the bowls.

Transfer Portal

• Starting EDGE Leon Lowery Jr. (523 snaps)
• CB Jeremiah Wilson (285 snaps; hasn’t played since Week 8)
• S Aman Greenwood (113 snaps; hasn’t played since Week 9)
• DL Terry Lockett (480 snaps; didn't dress in finale)
• WR Isaiah Jones (235 snaps)
• OG Wes Hoeh (56 snaps)

Injuries

• QB Garrett Shrader (583 snaps) had surgery and will not play in the bowl game. Neither will backup QB Carlos Del Rio-Wilson (137 snaps).
• Redshirt freshman QB Braden Davis (57 snaps) is listed as starter, but the Orange could go wildcat with tight end Dan Villari.

Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets

Transfer Portal

• Starting EDGE Kyle Kennard (534 snaps)
• Starting CB Kenan Johnson (521 snaps)
• DT Jason Moore (79 snaps)
• EDGE Etinosa Reuben (38 snaps)

UCF Knights

Transfer Portal

• Starting CB Corey Thornton (667 snaps)
• C Drake Metcalf (213 snaps but lost job midway through season)
• UCF WR Jaylon Griffin (47 snaps)
• UCF RB Jordan McDonald (31 snaps)
• DL Kervins Choute (77 snaps)

Injuries

S Jireh Wilson (447 snaps) didn't play in finale, and fellow DB Braeden Marshall (257 snaps) left early with an injury

Troy Trojans

Coaching Changes

Head coach Jon Sumrall has agreed to take the open head-coaching job at Tulane.

Defensive coordinator Greg Gasparato will serve as the interim head coach for the bowl game, and Notre Dame offensive coordinator Gerad Parker will take over full-time following the bowl game.

Transfer Portal

• LB Jayden McDonald (533 snaps)
• CB Darrell Starling (31 snaps)
• OG Kobe Williams (23 snaps)

Duke Blue Devils

Coaching Changes

Mike Elko has left for Texas A&M. Associate head coach Trooper Taylor will serve as the interim head coach.

Transfer Portal

• Starting QB Riley Leonard (381 snaps; I'd expect QB1 to be Grayson Loftis, who played in seven games)
• Starting RB Jordan Waters (345 snaps)
• Starting CB Brandon Johnson (745 snaps)
• Starting EDGE RJ Oben (404 snaps)
• Starting DL Aeneas Peebles (443 snaps)
• Starting LB Dorian Mausi (387 snaps)
• Starting DB/KR Jaylen Stinson (767 snaps; is practicing for what it's worth)
• WR Malik Bowen-Sims (44 snaps)

RB Jaquez Moore (301 snaps) came back out of the portal, so he should be RB1.

Injuries

• Starting C Scott Elliott (428 snaps) didn't play in the final few games.
• S Terry Moore (391 snaps) got hurt late in the season.

Opt-Outs

• Starting WR Jalon Calhoun (685 snaps)
• Starting LT Graham Barton (496 snaps)

Duke starting DL DeWayne Carter (548 snaps) also earned a Senior Bowl invite and could sit out.

Arkansas State Red Wolves

Transfer Portal

• Starting LB Javante Mackey (739 snaps; committed to Memphis)
• DL Kadan Lewis (not on bowl depth chart; 235 snaps)
• DL Ashtin "Rusty" Rustemeyer (104 snaps; hasn’t played since Week 8)

Injuries

• Stud C Jacob Bayer (697 snaps) missed the finale after surgery, but it sounds like he'll return for the bowl.
• RB Zak Wallace (324 snaps) also missed the regular-season finale.

Northern Illinois Huskies

Transfer Portal

• Starting C Pete Nygra (772 snaps; committed to Louisville)
• WR Trey Urwiler (24 snaps)
• S Devin Lafayette (284 snaps; reduced playing time late in season)
• S CJ Brown (144 snaps; hasn’t played since Week 6)
• Starting EDGE George Gumbs (430 snaps)

None of the above are listed on the depth chart. Logan Zschernitz (88 snaps; plenty of past experience but only at guard) will start at center and Roy Williams (309 snaps) at defensive end.

Trayvon Rudolph — the Huskies' best wide receiver and returner — has withdrawn from the transfer portal.

Injuries 

The Huskies would have been super thin at wide receiver without Rudolph. After losing Kacper Rutkiewicz for the year, two other starting wide receivers suffered injuries late in the season.

James Madison Dukes

JMU coach Curt Cignetti will not coach after taking the head-coaching job at Indiana. Offensive coordinator Mike Shanahan, defensive coordinator Bryant Haines and quarterbacks coach Tino Sunseri are among the coaches leaving for Indiana with Cignetti.

Offensive line coach/associate head coach Damian Wroblewski will serve as the acting head coach for the Dukes' first-ever bowl game. With only four coaches not leaving for Indiana, James Madison hired five temporary coaches to get through the bowl game.

Transfer Portal

• Starting QB Jordan McCloud (777 snaps; will start)
• Starting LB Jailin Walker (432 snaps)
• Starting LB Aiden Fisher (741 snaps)
• Starting DL Mikail Kamara (680 snaps)
• Starting DL James Carpenter 736 snaps)
• Starting CB Chauncey Logan (676 snaps)
• Backup LB Taurus Jones (236 snaps)
• Starting WR Elijah Sarratt (672 snaps)
• Starting RB Ty Son Lawton (400 snaps)
• Starting LT Tyler Stephens (816 snaps)

Reports say all JMU players in the portal will play except for Kamara, who is the only one not on the depth chart.

Injuries

• DE Jalen Green (NFL prospect with 15.5 sacks) missed the final three games and won't play in bowl.
• Starting LT Tyshawn Wyatt (482 snaps) was lost for the season in Week 9, causing the offensive line to re-shuffle.

Air Force Falcons

Transfer Portal

• Starting RB John Lee Eldridge (563 snaps)
• DE Caden Blum (166 snaps)

Injuries

• Head coach Troy Calhoun said starting quarterback Zac Larrier (530 snaps) and FB Emmanuel Michel (414 snaps) would return for the bowl game.
• Keep on eye on the status of wide receivers Dane Kinamon (309 snaps) and Jared Roznos (207 snaps).
• Starting CB Jerome Gaillard (340 snaps) missed the final four games, but should be ready for bowl.
• Starting SPUR LB C.J. Boyd (260 snaps) hasn't played since Week 7.

Georgia State Panthers

Transfer Portal

• Stud starting RB Marcus Carroll (719 snaps; committed to Missouri)
• Top WR Robert Lewis (759 snaps; committed to Auburn
• Starting RT Montavious Cunningham (743 snaps; committed to Virginia Tech)
• Starting CB Bryquice Brown (566 snaps; committed to Boston College)
• WR Rico Arnold (45 snaps)
• Backup RB KZ Adams (82 snaps)
• CB Tony McCray (68 snaps)
• S Jalen Tate (122 snaps)
• S Jordan Jones (25 snaps)

Opt-Outs

• LB Jontrey Hunter (94 tackles)
• OLB Shamar McCollum (30 tackles, one sack)
• C Avery Reece
• OL Travis Glover

Utah State Aggies

Transfer Portal

• Starting S Devin Dye (627 snaps)
• DL Siaosi Lauhingoa (83 snaps)
• RB Cooper Jones (24 snaps)

Injuries

• The Aggies will turn to QB Levi Williams (121 snaps) under center after injuries to Cooper Legas (not on depth chart) and McCae Hillstead (should be ready as backup).
• CB Avante Dickerson (423 snaps) didn't play in the regular-season finale.

South Alabama Jaguars

Transfer Portal

• Top WR Caullin Lacy (91 catches, 1,300-plus yards)
• EDGE Nathan Rawlins-Kibonge (25 snaps)

Injuries

• The quarterback situation remains up in the air with starter Carter Bradley (700 snaps) dealing with a knee injury. He has been splitting bowl practice reps with both freshman Gio Lopez (90 snaps) and senior Desmond Trotter (71 snaps). Recent reports state Bradley will share quarterback duties in the bowl.
• Starting RB RB La'Damian Webb (406 snaps) will not play due to a toe injury. Expect Braylon McReynolds (99 snaps) to get the start with Kentrel Bullock (198 snaps) serving as the backup after recently returning from injury.
• Starting LT Jordan Davis (513 snaps) missed the finale with an injury.

Eastern Michigan Eagles

Transfer Portal

• Starting QB Austin Smith (707 snaps)
  • Ike Udengwu (51 snaps) and Cam'Ron McCoy (3 snaps) are listed as co-starters on the depth chart.
• Starting EDGE Mikah Coleman (445 snaps; committed to Cincinnati)
• Starting DL Alex Merritt (281 snaps)
• Starting OG Zack Conti (624 snaps; committed to Southern Miss)
• TE Andreas Paaske (168 snaps; committed to Arkansas)
• WR Jalen Swinton (96 snaps)

Utah Utes

Transfer Portal

• QB Nate Johnson (249 snaps)
• QB Bryson Barnes (540 snaps; will play in bowl)
• WR Makai Cope (59 snaps)
• WR Mikey Matthews (345 snaps)
• CB JaTravis Broughton (434 snaps, but listed on depth chart)
• CB Faybian Marks (28 snaps)
• LB Justin Medlock (42 snaps)

Injuries

• Utah lost two important defensive starters earlier this season to injury in LB Lander Barton and EDGE Logan Fano.
• Stud DL Jonah Elliss (573 snaps) suffered a season ending-injury in Week 10.

Opt-Outs

• Starting WR Devaughn Vele (669 snaps)
• Starting S Sione Vaki (677 snaps)
• Starting S Cole Bishop (587 snaps)

Northwestern Wildcats

Transfer Portal

• Starting LG Josh Priebe (764 snaps)
• DL Matt Lawson (16 snaps)

Injuries

• Starting S Coco Azema (365 snaps) missed the final two games with a leg injury, but should be fine for bowl.

Coastal Carolina Chanticleers

Transfer Portal

• QB Grayson McCall (471 snaps; committed to NC State)
• QB Jarrett Guest (121 snaps)
  • Third-string QB Ethan Vasko (233 snaps) will start.
• Starting WR Jared Brown (507 snaps)
• RB CJ Beasley (246 snaps)
• Starting LB JT Killen (563 snaps)
• DB Jahmar Brown (36 snaps)
• CB Jacob Proche (28 snaps)

There's a chance some still play in the bowl, per reports, although I doubt Brown (recently committed to South Carolina) will be among them.

Injuries

• Starting nickelback Juan Powell (545 snaps) missed the final two games.

San Jose State Spartans

Transfer Portal

• Stud starting LT Fernando Carmona (765 snaps)
• Stud starting TE Dominick Mazotti (518 snaps)
• WR Branden Alvarez (50 snaps)
• S Elijah Wood (52 snaps)

Bowling Green Falcons

Transfer Portal

• Stud CB Jalen Huskey (624 snaps; first-team All-MAC; committed to Maryland)
• CB Deshawn Jones Jr. (197 snaps)
• RB Ta'ron Keith (373 snaps and leading receiver)
• LB Cashius Howell (10.5 TFLs, 9.5 sacks)

Injuries

• Starting S Trent Simms (418 snaps) and starting RB Terion Stewart (186 snaps) haven't played since Week 10. Stewart is listed as a game-time decision.

Minnesota Golden Gophers

Coaching Changes

Defensive coordinator Joe Rossi left Minnesota for the same position at Michigan State.

Transfer Portal

• Starting QB Athan Kaliakmanis (773 snaps)
• Backup QB Drew Viotto (0 snaps)
  • QB Cole Kramer (6 snaps) will start
• RB Zach Evans (89 snaps)

Injuries

• Monitor the status of Minnesota RB Darius Taylor (183 snaps).
• Starters S Darius Green (499 snaps) and LB Maverick Baranowski (372 snaps) missed the finale, but LB Cody Lindenberg did return.

Potential Opt-Outs

Keep an eye on future pro S Tyler Nubin (768 snaps) who I'd imagine will sit out. Tight end Brevy Spann-Ford (716 snaps) is also one to keep an eye on after accepting a Senior Bowl invite.

Texas State Bobcats

Transfer Portal

• S Ronnie Hamrick (118 snaps)
• RB Calvin Hill (73 snaps)

Injuries

• Offensive starters LG Dorion Strawn (727 snaps) and WR Joey Hobert (579 snaps) didn't dress for the finale.
• DE Chance Main (285 snaps) hasn't played since Week 11.

Rice Owls

Transfer Portal

No significant news to report.

Injuries

• QB JT Daniels has medically retired. AJ Padgett (225 snaps) will likely start at quarterback with also some potential Chase Jenkins (57 snaps).
• Starting LB Chris Conti (359 snaps) hasn't played since Week 9.

Kansas Jayhawks

Coaching Changes

Offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki has taken the OC job at Penn State.

Opt-Outs

• LT Dominick Puni (745 snaps)
  • Freshman Calvin Clements (11 snaps) will start.

Transfer Portal

• WR Tanaka Scott (109 snaps)
• TE Will Huggins (18 snaps)
• DL Gage Keys (301 snaps; committed to Auburn)

Injuries

• Starting RT Bryce Cabeldue (688 snaps) missed the final regular-season game. He's listed with an "OR" on the depth chart behind Ar'Maj Reed-Adams (535 snaps).
• Starting LG Michael Ford Jr. (698 snaps) left the finale with an injury, but is listed as a starter on the depth chart.

Misc.

Reports surfaced starting DE Austin Booker (482 snaps) could miss the bowl game, but he's listed on the depth chart with an "OR" behind Hayden Hatcher (243 snaps).

UNLV Rebels

Transfer Portal

• S Cameren Jenkins (381 snaps)
• RB Courtney Reese (209 snaps)
• DE Zavier Carter (14 tackles, two sacks, one FF)

Rumors were swirling around starting quarterback Jordan Maiava, but I actually think it might just be confusion around a BYU quarterback with the same last name entering the portal.

Injuries 

Starting S Jett Elad (578 snaps) didn't play in the conference championship game.

Virginia Tech Hokies

Transfer Portal

• TE Dae'Quan Wright (431 snaps)
• WR Da'Wain Lofton (190 snaps; will still play in bowl)
• CB Derrick Canteen (395 snaps; will still play in bowl)

Injuries

Virginia Tech will be without starting safeties Nasir Peoples (257 snaps) and Jalen Stroman (384 snaps).

Tulane Green Wave

Coaching Changes

Head coach Willie Fritz has taken the HC job at Houston.

Offensive coordinator Slade Nagle, defensive coordinator Shiel Wood, defensive line coach Gerald Chapman, wide receivers coach Derrick Sherman and analyst James Ross (promoted to inside linebackers coach) will all follow Fritz to Houston but will coach in the bowl game.

Troy head coach Jon Sumrall will replace Fritz as Tulane's head coach.

Out for Bowl

• Starting QB Michael Pratt (706 snaps)
• Starting WR Chris Brazzell (616 snaps)
• Starting WR Jha'Quan Jackson (314 snaps)
• Starting TE Alex Bauman (656 snaps)
• Starting LG Prince Pines (425 snaps)
• Starting S DJ Douglas (652 snaps)
• Starting OLB Devean Deal (488 snaps)
• Starting DE Keith Cooper Jr. (599 snaps)
• Starting OLB Darius Hodges (401 snaps)
• Starting CB Jarius Monroe (754 snaps)
• S Kentrell Webb (179 snaps)

Justin Ibieta (6 snaps) could start at quarterback, but backup QB Kai Horton (150 snaps) has reportedly still been practicing with the team despite entering portal.

Injuries 

The Brazzell and Jackson news is even bigger since WR Lawrence Keys III (440 snaps) hasn't played since Week 11 due to injury.

North Carolina Tar Heels

Transfer Portal

• TE Kamari Morales (327 snaps)
• WR Tychaun Chapman (75 snaps; also returned kicks)
• WR Andre Greene (56 snaps; last played in Week 10)
• CB Tayon Holloway (349 snaps)
• DT Kedrick Bingley-Jones (56 snaps)
• LB Sebastian Cheeks (15 snaps)
• Starting Slot CB D.J. Jones (198 snaps; will still play in bowl, splitting time with Kaleb Cost)

Chris Culliver will be the new kick returner for the bowl.

NFL Draft

• Starting QB Drake Maye (909 snaps)
  • Backup Conner Harrell (21 snaps) will start.
• Starting LB Cedric Gray (880 snaps)
• Starting C Corey Gaynor (912 snaps)
• Starting WR Tez Walker (534 snaps)
• Starting DL Myles Murphy (445 snaps)

Only Murphy will play in the bowl game among those five. Willie Lampkin (746 snaps) will slide over from guard to center, which he played last season.

Injuries

• Starting TE John Copenhaver (513 snaps)
• Starting WR Bryson Nesbit (500 snaps)
• Starting WR Kobe Paysour (281 snaps; hasn't played since Week 6)
• Starting CB Alijah Huzzie (727 snaps; also returned punts)
• S Will Hardy (246 snaps)

All players listed above will miss North Carolina's bowl game with injuries. Freshman Deems May will start at tight end with no scholarship players available at that position.

Starting WR Nate McCollum (368 snaps) also didn’t play in the finale with a lower-body injury, but is listed on depth chart. He'll also return punts with Huzzie out.

West Virginia Mountaineers

Transfer Portal

• WR Cortez Brahm (151 snaps)
• WR Jeremiah Aaron (55 snaps)
• WR Ja’Shaun Poke (29 snaps)
• RB Justin Johnson Jr. (127 snaps)
• S Hershey McLaurin (302 snaps)
• DL Mike Lockhart (409 snaps)
• S Lance Dixon (182 snaps; hasn't played since Week 7)
• S Christion Stokes (15 snaps)
• CB Andrew Wilson-Lamp (63 snaps)

Injuries

• WR Devin Carter (483 snaps) played only four snaps in the finale against Baylor.
• C Zach Frazier (806 snaps), one of the top centers in the 2024 NFL Draft, will miss the bowl following surgery.

Louisville Cardinals

Transfer Portal

• LB Jackson Hamilton (55 snaps)
• S Josh Minkins (227 snaps)
• EDGE Kameron Wilson (197 snaps)
• EDGE Ryheem Craig (27 snaps)

NFL Draft

• S Cam'Ron Kelly (will still play in bowl)
• RB Jawhar Jordan (will miss bowl)
• WR Jamari Thrash (will miss bowl)

USC Trojans

Transfer Portal

• WR Michael Jackson (206 snaps)
• WR Raleek Brown (24 snaps)
• TE Jude Wolfe (65 snaps)
• RB Darwin Barlow (22 snaps)
• DL De'jon Benton (223 snaps; hasn't played since Week 10)
• LB Chris Thompson (13 snaps)
• WR Mario Williams (29 catches)
• CB Domani Jackson (three PBUs)
• LB Tackett Curtis (40 tackles, two sacks, one FF)
• QB Malachi Nelson (five-star true freshman)
• EDGE Korey Foreman (one tackle; No. 3 recruit in 2021)

Opt-Outs

• Starting QB Caleb Williams (761 snaps)
  • Expect Miller Moss to start.
• RB MarShawn Lloyd (398 snaps)
• WR Brenden Rice (469 snaps)

Watch for S Calen Bullock (845 snaps)

Injuries

• Starting RG/RT Jarrett Kingston (668 snaps) missed the finale with an injury.

Texas A&M Aggies

Coaching Changes

Head coach Jimbo Fisher has been fired, and offensive coordinator Bobby Petrino took the OC job at Arkansas. Kansas State offensive coordinator Collin Klein will replace Petrino as A&M's OC.

Texas A&M AD Ross Bjork said Elijah Robinson (recently hired as Syracuse DC) will continue to serve as the interim head coach through the bowl game. Mike Elko won't coach, while the rest of the staff could be in flux depending on job offers.

Transfer Portal

• Starting WR Evan Stewart (403 snaps)
• QB Max Johnson (North Carolina; expect third-string Jaylen Henderson to start again)
• Starting EDGE Fadil Diggs (466 snaps)
• Starting S Bryce Anderson (545 snaps)
• Starting DL Walter Nolen (365 snaps)
• Starting CB Tyreek Chappell (488 snaps)
• Starting CB Deuce Harmon (394 snaps)
• Starting TE Jake Johnson (449 snaps)
• S Jardin Gilbert (75 snaps)
• CB Kent Robinson (20 snaps)
• WR Raymond Cottrell (21 snaps)
• G Remington Strickland (43 snaps)
• DL Isaiah Raikes (255 snaps)

Starting RT Chase Bisontis (544 snaps) announced he will return in 2024.

Opt-Outs

• Starting WR Ainias Smith (559 snaps)
• Starting LB Edgerrin Cooper (609 snaps)
• Starting DT McKinnley Jackson (430 snaps)
• Starting RG Layden Robinson (691 snaps)
• Starting S Demani Richardson (695 snaps)

Injuries

• Starting CB Josh DeBerry (442 snaps) missed time to end the season with an injury, but he is on depth chart.
• Starting WR Noah Thomas (471 snaps) will not play in the bowl (undisclosed).

Texas A&M will be without 14 starters.

Oklahoma State Cowboys

Transfer Portal

• WR Blaine Green (193 snaps)
• WR Jaden Bray (485 snaps)
• RB Jaden Nixon (50 carries)

Misc.

LB Collin Oliver (853 snaps) and RB Ollie Gordon II (745 snaps) are expected to suit up.

SMU Mustangs

Transfer Portal

• TE Nolan Matthews-Harris (127 snaps)
• OT Jacob Waller (42 snaps)
• DL Dylan Frazier (29 snaps)

Injuries

• SMU QB Preston Stone is out for the year. Kevin Jennings will start again.
• Starting RT Hyrin White hasn't played since Week 11, but stud RG Justin Osborne has kicked out wide with no drop-off.

Boston College Eagles

Transfer Portal

• QB Emmett Morehead (lost starting job)
• RB Pat Garwo (158 snaps; hasn’t played since Week 9)
• RB Cam Barfield (56 snaps; hasn't played since Week 10)
• EDGE Shitta Sillah (182 snaps; hasn’t played since Week 9)
• CB Alex Washington (64 snaps; hasn’t played since Week 4)

Injuries

• Starting S Cole Watson (544 snaps) hasn't played since Week 11.
• Stud starting CB Elijah Jones (524 snaps) was lost to a season-ending injury suffered in Week 10.
• Starting CB Jalen Cheek (367 snaps) didn't play in the finale.
• BC previously lost offensive starters WR Ryan O'Keefe (204 snaps) and TE George Takacs (421 snaps) to season-ending injuries

Rutgers Scarlet Knights

Transfer Portal

• OG Mike Ciafonni (118 snaps)
• OT Kamar Missouri (213 snaps; lost job in second half of season)
• WR Max Patterson (24 snaps)
• WR Rashad Rochelle (29 snaps)
• DB Carnell Davis (17 snaps)
• 2 backup quarterbacks also hit portal, including No. 2 Evan Simon

Injuries

• Starting TE Johnny Langan (558 snaps) will have season-ending surgery.
• Starting LB Tyreem Powell (371 snaps) lost to injury after Week 8.

Opt-Outs

• Star CB Max Melton (622 snaps)

Misc.

Running back Kyle Monangai is set to return to Rutgers for another season, according to ESPN's Pete Thamel.

Miami Hurricanes

Transfer Portal

• Starting QB Tyler Van Dyke (660 snaps; confirmed to Wisconsin)
• Starting WR Colbie Young (599 snaps)
• RB Donald Chaney (169 snaps)
• TE Jaleel Skinner (25 snaps)
• Starting LB Corey Flagg (392 snaps)
• Starting EDGE Jahfari Harvey (313 snaps)
• EDGE Chantz Williams (127 snaps)
• EDGE Cyrus Moss (27 snaps)

Injuries

• Expect Jacurri Brown to start at QB with backup Emory Williams injured.
• Starting CB Daryl Porter Jr. (447 snaps) hasn't played since Week 10.

Opt-Outs

• Starting S Kamren Kinchens (638 snaps)
• Starting S James Williams (730 snaps)
• Starting DT Leonard Taylor (341 snaps)
• Starting C Matt Lee (792 snaps)
• Starting LG Javion Cohen (771 snaps)

Miami will likely be without four starters on offense and five or six on defense.

NC State Wolfpack

Transfer Portal

• QB MJ Morris (236 snaps; didn’t play after Week 10)
  • Brennan Armstrong (589 snaps) should start
• RB Michael Allen (190 snaps; not on depth chart)
• RB Jordan Houston (91 snaps; not on depth chart)
• WR Terrell Timmons (216 snaps; not on depth chart)
• WR Porter Rooks (286 snaps; not on depth chart)
• WR Anthony Smith (93 snaps; not on depth chart)
• TE Christopher Toudle (137 snaps; not on depth chart)
• C/LG Lyndon Cooper (311 snaps; lost job midway through season)
• Starting NT CJ Clark (451 snaps; Brandon Cleveland should start)
• S Cecil Powell (43 snaps)

Opt-Outs

• LB Payton Wilson (716 snaps)

Kansas State Wildcats

Transfer Portal

• Starting QB Will Howard (784 snaps); expect Avery Johnson (133 snaps) to start
• RB Treshaun Ward (332 snaps)
• RB Anthony Frias (41 snaps)
• FB Christian Moore (41 snaps)
• WR RJ Garcia II (231 snaps)
• Starting S Kobe Savage (711 snaps)
• Starting CB Will Lee (453 snaps)
• EDGE Nate Matlack (324 snaps)
• CB Jordan Wright (60 snaps)

Coaching Changes

Offensive coordinator Collin Klein has accepted the OC job at Texas A&M.

Opt-Outs

• Starting WR Phillip Brooks (756 snaps)
• Starting TE Ben Sinnott (769 snaps)

Potential Opt-Outs to Watch

• OG Cooper Beebee (870 snaps)

Injuries

• Starting DT Uso Seumalo (413 snaps) was on crutches for the finale. As a result, Damian Ilalio (157 snaps) saw an increase in playing time.
• LB Jake Clifton (227 snaps) was lost for the season in Week 11 after Kansas State already lost starting middle linebacker Daniel Green and freshman backup Asa Newsom early in the season to injuries.

Arizona Wildcats

Transfer Portal

• S Isaiah Taylor portal (146 snaps; reduced snaps in second half of year)
• LB Daniel Heimuli (194 snaps; reduced snaps in second half of year)
• EDGE Orin Patu (24 snaps)

Opt-Outs

• Stud LT Jordan Morgan (787 snaps)

Sophomore Joseph Borjon (175 snaps) will start at left tackle. NFL prospect WR Jacob Cowing (704 snaps) confirmed he will play in the bowl.

Injuries

• Starting S Martell Irby (241 snaps) missed time to end the season with a leg injury but did dress for the finale.

Oklahoma Sooners

Coaching Changes

OC Jeff Lebby took the head-coaching job at Mississippi State.

Transfer Portal

• Starting QB Dillon Gabriel (839 snaps)
  • Jackson Arnold (94 snaps) will start
• RB Tawee Walker (252 snaps; second-leading rusher, but on bowl depth chart)
• RB Marcus Major (215 snaps; hasn't played since Week 8)
• RB Daylan Smothers (33 snaps)
• Starting LG Cayden Green (568 snaps)
• OG Savion Byrd (181 snaps; lost job)
• OG Nate Anderson (36 snaps)
• OT Aaryn Parks (30 snaps)
• DL Kelvin Gilliam (47 snaps)
• DB Key Lawrence (398 snaps; played less late in year)
• EDGE Reggie Grimes (49 snaps)

Injuries

• Lost top receiver Andrel Anthony (215 snaps) to season-ending injury after Week 6.
• Troy Everett (311 snaps) should start at C in place of Raym, but he's been dealing with an injury.

Opt-Outs

• Starting RT Tyler Guyton (663 snaps)
• Starting C Andrew Raym (874 snaps)

Star LB Danny Stutsman (654 snaps) and starting S Billy Bowman (713 snaps) announced they will return for the 2024 season.

Clemson Tigers

Transfer Portal

• Starting S Andrew Mukuba (581 snaps)
• Starting WR Beaux Collins (636 snaps)
• OL Mitchell Mayes (352 snaps)
• TE Sage Ennis (173 snaps)
• Backup QB Hunter Helms (31 snaps)
• CB Toriano Pride (150 snaps)

Opt-Outs

• Starting CB Nate Wiggins (494 snaps)
• Starting LB Jeremiah Trotter Jr. (689 snaps)
• Starting DL Ruke Orhorhoro (409 snaps)

Potential Opt-Outs to Watch

• Starting DT Tyler Davis (436 snaps) is listed on depth chart

Starting LB Barrett Carter (588 snaps) announced he will return to Clemson next season.

Injuries

• Starting CB Sheridan Jones (329 snaps) will not play in bowl due to a hip injury.

Clemson will start true freshman cornerbacks Avieon Terrell (320 snaps) and Shelton Lewis (99 snaps).

Kentucky Wildcats

Transfer Portal

• Starting EDGE Keaten Wade (371 snaps; not on depth chart)
• LB Martez Thrower (101 snaps; hasn’t played since Week 6)
• DL Jamarius Dinkins (89 snaps)
• WR Dekel Crowdus (45 snaps)
• RB JuTahn McClain (82 snaps)

Starting TE Jordan Dingle (282 snaps) removed himself from the transfer portal.

NFL Draft

• RB Ray Davis (529 snaps; will still play in bowl)
• CB Andru Phillips (653 snaps; also expected to play in bowl)

Kentucky will likely only be without one starter (Wade) compared to Clemson's five.

Oregon State Beavers

Coaching Changes

Oregon State staff has been shaken up for the bowl after head coach Jonathan Smith left for Michigan State. The new head coach is former defensive coordinator Trent Bray, but he won’t be with the team for the bowl.

Passing game coordinator Kefense Hynson takes over in the interim, while cornerbacks coach Anthony Perkins will serve as the interim DC.

Transfer Portal

• Starting QB DJ Uiagalelei (704 snaps)
• Backup QB Aidan Chiles (100 snaps)
  • Ben Gulbranson is listed as QB1 after starting final eight games of 2022.
• Starting TE Jack Velling (585 snaps)
• TE Jake Overman portal (56 snaps)
• Starting LB Easton Mascarenas-Arnold (741 snaps; leading tackler)
• Starting S Akili Arnold (664 snaps)
• Starting CB Jermod McCoy (410 snaps)
• PK Atticus Sappington (13-of-14 on FGs)

Opt-Outs

• Starting WR Anthony Gould (517 snaps)
• Starting RT Taliese Fuaga (700 snaps)

Injuries

• Starters LT Joshua Gray (682 snaps) and LG Heneli Bloomfield (619 snaps) both missed the finale.

Misc.

RB Damien Martinez (488 snaps) is unlikely to play in the bowl game despite being eligible after being arrested.

Notre Dame Fighting Irish

Coaching Changes

Offensive coordinator Gerad Parker will take the head-coaching job at Troy.

Transfer Portal

• Starting C Zeke Correll (558 snaps; injured since Week 10)
• Starting WR Rico Flores (404 snaps)
• Starting WR Tobias Merriweather (378 snaps)
• Starting WR Chris Tyree (276 snaps)
• New starting TE Holden Staes (369 snaps)
• WR Braylon James (22 snaps)
• DE Nana Osafo-Mensah (252 snaps)
• DL Aidan Keanaaina (40 snaps)
• S Ramon Henderson (304 snaps)
• S Antonio Carter (72 snaps)

Opt-Outs

• Starting QB Sam Hartman (678 snaps; Steve Angeli will start)
• Starting RB Audric Estime (388 snaps)
• Starting RT Blake Fisher (710 snaps)
• Starting LT Joe Alt (713 snaps)
• Starting CB Cam Hart (572 snaps)
• Starting CB Thomas Harper (438 snaps)
• LB Marist Liufau (595 snaps)
• DB Thomas Harper (three PBUs)

Bronko Nagurski Award-winning safety Xavier Watts (675 snaps) confirmed he will play in the Sun Bowl, while defensive tackle Howard Cross (582 snaps) announced he'll return for another season.

Freshman Charles Jagusah (0 snaps) has been taking reps as the starting left tackle.

Injuries

• Starting RG Rocco Spindler (559 snaps) went down in Week 10 with a season-ending injury. Billy Schrauth (196 snaps) served as his replacement and will start in bowl.
• Starting TE Mitchell Evans (425 snaps) was lost for the year in Week 9.

Notre Dame will be without 11 of its top 12 offensive players in terms of snap counts.

Head coach Marcus Freeman said wide receivers Jayden Thomas (272 snaps), KK Smith (0 snaps) and Deion Colzie (51 snaps) are trending in the right direction. Jordan Faison (112 snaps), Jaden Greathouse (259 snaps) and Thomas are listed as starters at wideout with Eli Raridon (149 snaps) at tight end.

Memphis Tigers

Memphis will play in its home stadium, but Iowa State fans usually travel very well.

Transfer Portal

• Starting RG Davion Carter (852 snaps)
• Starting OT Makylan Pounders (673 snaps)
• Backup QB Tevin Carter (34 snaps)
• Starting S Cameron Smith (629 snaps)
• DL Zy Brockington (24 snaps)

Mitchell Gildehaus (107 snaps) and Terrance McClain (388 snaps) will start at RG and RT, respectively.

Injuries

• Starting CB Julian Barnett (322 snaps) didn't play in the finale and isn't listed on the depth chart. Tyrin Taylor (164 snaps) will start.
• Backup BUCK Andres Fox (181 snaps) missed the final two games but is on the depth chart.

Iowa State Cyclones

Transfer Portal

• RB Eli Sanders (195 snaps)
• RB Cartevious Norton (240 snaps)
• CB Terrell Crosby (51 snaps)
• S Treyveon McGee (54 snaps)
• LB Carston Marshall (64 snaps)
• OG Darrell Simmons (142 snaps)

Norton and Sanders didn't play in the finale. Expect Abu Samu (141 snaps) to start at running back.

Injuries

Starting S Malik Verdon (496 snaps) missed the finale with a fractured forearm. Head coach Matt Campbell said the time off has helped, but he remains 50-50 to play.

True freshman Drew Surges (120 snaps) filled in in his absence against Kansas State with safety Ben Nikkel (267 snaps) also not playing.

Opt-Outs

• Starting CB TJ Tampa (747 snaps)

Missouri Tigers

Transfer Portal

• LB Dameon Wilson (45 snaps)

Injuries

• Head coach Eli Drinkwitz expects everyone on the team to be available, except for injured starting CB Ennis Rakestraw (466 snaps) and injured starting LB Ty'Ron Hopper (563 snaps), who will miss the Cotton Bowl.
• Fellow starting LB Chad Bailey (197 snaps) was lost for the season back in Week 5.

Ohio State Buckeyes

Transfer Portal

• Starting QB Kyle McCord (703 snaps)
  • Devin Brown (72 snaps) should be healthy enough to start.
• Starting WR Julian Fleming (552 snaps)
• CB Jyaire Brown (48 snaps)
• S Kye Stokes (10 snaps)
• CB Cam Martinez (28 snaps)
• DB Ryan Turner (27 snaps)
• RB Evan Pryor (31 snaps)
• DE Omari Abor (29 snaps)
• C Vic Cutler (21 snaps)
• RB Chip Trayanum (252 snaps)

Opt-Outs

• Starting WR Marvin Harrison Jr. (649 snaps)
• Starting DT Michael Hall Jr. (368 snaps)
• RB Miyan Williams (107 snaps; hasn't played since Week 8)

Potential Opt-Outs to Watch

• Starting RB TreVeyon Henderson (351 snaps)
• Starting TE Cade Stover (581 snaps)
• Starting S Josh Proctor (552 snaps)
• Starting DE JT Tuimoloau (621 snaps)
• Starting LB Tommy Eichenberg (607 snaps)

WR Emeka Egbuka (397 snaps), LG Donovan Jackson (768 snaps), DE Jack Sawyer (549 snaps), DT Tyleik Williams (586 snaps), CB Jordan Hancock (541 snaps) and CB Denzel Burke (506 snaps) announced they will play in the Cotton Bowl.

Ole Miss Rebels

Transfer Portal

• TE Kyirin Heath (121 snaps; didn’t play second half of year)
• TE Michael Trigg (79 snaps; hasn't played since Week 3)
• S Isheem Young (130 snaps; hasn’t played since Week 8)
• OLB Reginald Hughes (40 snaps)
• WR Bralon Brown (56 snaps)
• WR JJ Henry (24 snaps)
• OT Cedric Melton (27 snaps)

Injuries

• Starting RT Micah Pettus (608 snaps) was lost for the year in Week 10.

Opt-Outs

• Starting EDGE Cedric Johnson (526 snaps)

Misc.

• Backup QB Spencer Sanders was deemed academically ineligible for bowl.

Penn State Nittany Lions

Coaching Changes

Penn State will keep co-OCs running the show for the bowl game despite hiring Andy Kotelnicki from Kansas. DC Manny Diaz took the Duke head coach job.

Transfer Portal

• WR Cristian Driver (27 snaps)

Injuries

• WR Harrison Wallace (237 snaps) hasn't played since Week 9.

Opt-Outs

• DE Chop Robinson (303 snaps)
• CB Johnny Dixon (497 snaps)

Potential Opt-Outs to Watch

• OT Olumuyiwa Fashanu (722 snaps; declared for NFL Draft)

Fashanu said he will be with the team for the bowl, but he still may not play or have a reduced snap count. He did at least practice on Tuesday. CB Daequan Hardy (335 snaps), CB Kalen King (481 snaps), LB Curtis Jacobs (425 snaps) and TE Theo Johnson (615 snaps) all declared for the NFL Draft but are each expected to play in bowl as of now.

Auburn Tigers

Transfer Portal

• WR Malcolm Johnson Jr. (312 snaps)
• WR Jyaire Shorter (87 snaps)
• EDGE Stephen Sings V (75 snaps)
• S Marquise Gilbert (42 snaps)
• QB Robby Ashford (145 passing yards, 217 rushing yards, seven total TDs)
• WR Ja'Varrius Johnson (196 snaps)

Opt-Outs

• CB DJ James (691 snaps)
• CB Nehemiah Pritchett (471 snaps)
• DT Marcus Harris (533 snaps)

Head coach Hugh Freeze said he doesn't expect the three defensive starters above to play in the bowl. Starting S Jaylin Simpson (650 snaps) is expected to play despite accepting a Senior Bowl invitation, assuming his hamstring is healthy enough.

Maryland Terrapins

Transfer Portal

• Starting TE Corey Dyches (467 snaps)
• WR Tyrese Chambers (122 snaps; left team in November)
• TE Rico Walker (138 snaps)
• RB Antwain Littleton II (244 snaps)
• Starting LB Jaishawn Barham (478 snaps)
• OLB Riyal Wilmot (180 snaps)
• CB Corey Coley (305 snaps; lost job late in year)
• CB Gavin Gibson (118 snaps)
• CB Tamarcus Cooley (23 snaps)
• S Avantae Williams (27 snaps)

Opt-Outs

• Starting QB Taulia Tagovailoa (780 snaps)
• Starting CB Tarheeb Still (574 snaps)

Expect QB Billy Edwards Jr. (45 snaps) to start with Cameron Edge (7 snaps) also getting some looks.

Georgia Bulldogs

Transfer Portal

• OL Austin Blaske (29 snaps)
• WR Jackson Meeks (85 snaps)
• Backup QB Brock Vandagriff (55 snaps)
• WR/PR Mekhi Mews (750+ all-purpose yards)
• WR Zeed Haynes (21 snaps)
• OLB Marvin Jones Jr. (247 snaps)
• LB Xavien Sorey Jr. (188 snaps)
• DL Jonathan Jefferson (67 snaps)
• EDGE CJ Madden (49 snaps)
• EDGE Darris Smith (39 snaps)
• Starting LB Jamon Dumas-Johnson (336 snaps; missed final four games)
• CB AJ Harris (89 snaps)
• CB Daniel Harris (46 snaps)

Opt-Outs

• TE Brock Bowers (520 snaps)
• OT Amarius Mims (297 snaps)

Potential Opt-Outs to Watch

• OG Tate Ratledge (682 snaps)
• CB Kamari Lassiter (678 snaps)
• DL Nazir Stackhouse (388 snaps)

All three above did at least travel with the team and were spotted at practice. QB Carson Beck (833 snaps) confirmed he will start in bowl and return for 2024 season. S Javon Bullard (555 snaps) and C Sedrick Van Pran (821 snaps) stated they will also play in the bowl. WR Ladd McConkey (215 snaps) has been dealing with an injury, but will try to give it a go. LB Smael Mondon Jr. (549 snaps) announced he will return for the 2024 season.

Injuries 

• Starting WR Rara Thomas (391 snaps) wasn't dressed for the SEC title game.
• CB Julian Humphrey (168 snaps) hasn't played since Week 11.

Florida State Seminoles

Injuries

• QB Jordan Travis (649 snaps) is out for the year.
  • Third-stringer Brock Glenn, who started the ACC Championship, will start.

Transfer Portal

• Backup QB Tate Rodemaker (141 snaps)
• Starting LB DJ Lundy (403 snaps)
• DT Malcolm Ray (246 snaps)
• DT Ayobami Tifase (20 snaps)
• OT Bless Harris (390 snaps)
• TE Markeston Douglas (210 snaps)
• WR Winston Wright (29 snaps)
• OG Thomas Shrader (47 snaps)
• RB Rodney Hill (109 snaps)
• RB Cj Campbell (43 snaps)

None of the players above are listed on the FSU bowl depth chart. However, starting DL Joshua Farmer (427 snaps) has paused his transfer portal request and is listed on the bowl depth chart.

Opt-Outs

• Starting WR Johnny Wilson (459 snaps)
• Starting WR Keon Coleman (672 snaps)
• Starting TE Jaheim Bell (451 snaps)
• Starting RB Trey Benson (413 snaps)
• Starting DE Jared Verse (586 snaps)
• Starting DT Fabien Lovett (337 snaps)
• Starting S Akeem Dent (446 snaps)
• Starting CB Renardo Green (651 snaps)
• Starting CB Jarrion Jones (453 snaps)

Injuries

RB Lawrance Toafili (361 snaps) isn't on depth chart following surgery.

Toledo Rockets

Transfer Portal

• Starting QB Dequan Finn (815 snaps)
  • Tucker Gleason (69 snaps) will start
• Starting LG Vinny Scuiry (838 snaps)

Potential Opt-Outs to Watch

• Stud CB Quinyon Mitchell (781 snaps)

Wyoming Cowboys

Coaching Changes

Wyoming head coach Craig Bohl announced he will retire after the Arizona Bowl.

Offensive coordinator Tim Polasek will be the new head coach of North Dakota State.

Transfer Portal

• Starting CB Kolbey Taylor (536 snaps; committed to Vanderbilt; didn't play final two games)
• RB D.Q. James (66 snaps)

Injuries

Starting RT Caden Barnett (608 snaps) will not play in the bowl following surgery. RG Jack Walsh will stay at RT as he did for the final two games.

Bohl stated everybody else appears to be healthy and playing.

Wisconsin Badgers

Opt-Outs

• Starting RB Braelon Allen (488 snaps)
• Starting C Tanor Bortolini (868 snaps)
• Starting CB Jason Maitre (646 snaps)

Jake Renfro, who has missed the past two seasons due to injury, will likely take over at center where he started for Cincinnati in 2020 and 2021.

Transfer Portal

• Starting WR Chimere Dike (550 snaps)
• Starting WR Skyler Bell (374 snaps)
• OL Trey Wedig (252 snaps)
• Starting LB Jordan Turner (554 snaps)
• Starting DL Rodas Johnson (432 snaps)
• DE Darian Varner (122 snaps)

Injuries

• CB Alexander Smith (382 snaps) hasn't played since Week 11 and is not on depth chart.
• WR Bryson Green (547 snaps) missed the final two games, but is listed on depth chart.
• RB Jackson Acker (198 snaps) didn't play in the finale, but is listed on depth chart.
• RB Chez Mellusi (112 snaps) was lost for the season in Week 4.

The Badgers could be very thin at the skill positions.

LSU Tigers

Transfer Portal

• CB Lawrence Welch (96 snaps)
• OG Marlon Martinez (75 snaps)
• Starting CB Sage Ryan (620 snaps)
• DL Tygee Hill (45 snaps)

Opt-Outs

• QB Jayden Daniels (702 snaps)

Garrett Nussmeier will start at quarterback.

Potential Opt-Outs to Watch

• WR Brian Thomas (682 snaps)
• WR Malik Nabers (668 snaps)

Brian Kelly stated both should play in the bowl game, but Nabers did recently miss a practice.

Injuries

• Starting DT Mekhi Wingo (344 snaps) will reportedly play in bowl (hasn't played since Week 8).
• Starting CB Zy Alexander (418 snaps) hasn't played since Week 8.
• LB Whit Weeks (260 snaps) returned from injury in the finale.
• CBs Duce Chestnut (81 snaps; hasn't played since Week 4) and Denver Harris (217 snaps; hasn't played since Week 7) will miss the bowl game.

Iowa Hawkeyes

Transfer Portal

• WR Diante Vines (344 snaps)
• Backup QB Spencer Petras (Utah State)

Injuries

• Star CB/PR Cooper DeJean (705 snaps) was lost for the season in Week 11.
• Starting RT Gennings Dunker (661 snaps) didn't play in the Big Ten title game, but Kirk Ferentz said he and starting C Logan Jones are doing well health wise.
• Starting QB Cade McNamara (206 snaps), TE Erick All (251 snaps) and TE Luke Lachey (120 snaps) were all lost earlier this season.

Tennessee Volunteers

Transfer Portal

• Starting DE Tyler Baron (444 snaps)
• Starting S Wesley Walker (636 snaps)
• Starting CB Doneiko Slaughter (387 snaps)
• Starting Slot CB Tamarion McDonald (486 snaps; hasn't played since Week 10))
• CB Brandon Turnage (149 snaps)
• CB Warren Burrell (166 snaps)
• LG Addison Nichols (116 snaps)
• OG Mo Clipper (19 snaps)

Opt-Outs

• Starting QB Joe Milton (772 snaps)
• Starting RB Jaylen Wright (325 snaps)
• Backup RB Jabari Small (227 snaps)

Freshman QB Nico Iamaleava (52 snaps) will start under center.

Injuries

• The inactive list in the finale against Vanderbilt included starting RG Javontez Spraggins (699 snaps), LG Andrej Karic (266 snaps; hasn't played since Week 9), DL Omarr Norman-Lott (235 snaps) and DE Roman Harrison (301 snaps). Spraggins is out, but the others will likely play in bowl.
• Tennessee previously lost WR Bru McCoy (231 snaps), CB Kamal Hadden (311 snaps), WR Dont'e Thornton (214 snaps), LB Keenan Pili (31 snaps) and LB Arion Carter (126 snaps) to season-ending injuries.

Liberty Flames

Transfer Portal

• Starting CB Preston Hodge (690 snaps)
• DL Kendy Charles (336 snaps; hasn't played since Week 11)
• DE Bryan Whitehead II (238 snaps)
• DL Tysheik Galloway (118 snaps)
• Backup QB Johnathan Bennett
• S Jalon Jimmerson (160 snaps)

Injuries

• Starting LB Jerome Jolly Jr. (447 snaps) and S A'Khori Jones (269 snaps) didn't play in the conference title game.

Oregon Ducks

Transfer Portal

• WR Kris Hutson (22 snaps)
• S Bryan Addison (109 snaps)
• CB Trikweze Bridges (204 snaps)
• Backup QB Ty Thompson (97 snaps)

Opt-Outs

• Starting C Jackson Powers-Johnson (829 snaps)
• Starting WR Troy Franklin (722 snaps)
• Starting CB Khyree Jackson (520 snaps)

Potential Opt-Outs to Watch

• WR Tez Johnson (474 snaps)
• TE Terrance Ferguson (603 snaps)
• RT Ajani Cornelius (834 snaps)
• DB Tysheem Johnson (748 snaps)
• DE Jordan Burch (418 snaps; has practiced but also dealing with injury)
• S Evan Williams (697 snaps)
• LB Jeffrey Bassa (668 snaps)

Dan Lanning said QB Bo Nix and RB Bucky Irving (548 snaps) will play in the bowl game. Starting DL Brandon Dorlus (564 snaps) confirmed he will also play.

Injuries

• CB Jahlil Florence (392 snaps) missed the final two games.
• WR/KR Gary Bryant Jr. (511 snaps) did not play in the conference title game.

Alabama Crimson Tide

Transfer Portal

• Backup QB Tyler Buchner (lacrosse)
• WR Ja'Corey Brooks (142 snaps; hasn't played since Week 7)

Injuries

• RB Jase McClellan (401 snaps) didn't play in the SEC Championship. He is questionable to play in the semifinals.
• Star CB Kool-Aid McKinstry (788 snaps) left the SEC title with a minor concussion, but has since cleared protocol.

Michigan Wolverines

Transfer Portal

No significant news to report.

Injuries

• Stud starting RG Zak Zinter (649 snaps) was lost for the season.
• CB Will Johnson (410 snaps) missed the Big Ten title game, but he confirmed he will play vs. Alabama.
• Starting LB Junior Colson (543 snaps) is expected to play despite being seen with casts on both hands.

Texas Longhorns

Transfer Portal

• S Jalen Catalon (142 snaps; had seen reduced playing time)
• WR Casey Cain (56 snaps)
• QB Maalik Murphy (two starts, 71 attempts)

Injuries

• Starting RB Jonathon Brooks (450 snaps) was lost for the season.
• Star WR/PR Xavier Worthy (764 snaps) was seen on crutches and in a boot after the Big 12 title game.
• Starting CB Ryan Watts (376 snaps) didn't play in the Big 12 Championship.
• Special teams ace CB Austin Jordan also missed the Big 12 title game with an undisclosed injury, but has returned to practice.

For what it's worth, head coach Steve Sarkisian said he feels very confident that both Worthy and Watts would be ready for the Sugar Bowl.

Washington Huskies

Transfer Portal

• S Vincent Nunley (213 snaps; hasn't played since Week 11)
• Backup QB Dylan Morris (14 attempts; will stay with team through playoffs)

Injuries

• S Asa Turner (167 snaps) returned from injury for the Pac-12 title game.

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