College Football Bowl Game Opt-Out Tracker

College football bowl season has long been a huge holiday tradition for bettors, but analyzing the bowl game odds isn't as easy as simply breaking down the team.

Thanks to the NCAA's transfer portal, keeping up with which players are actually participating is now equally as important.

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To help you stay on top of all the movement, we will have a game-by-game opt-out tracker — plus live college football odds — for each Bowl Game matchup.

Bowl game opt-outs and injuries for 2025-26

Here is the full slate of 2025-26 bowl game matchups. Click on a specific bowl to see the latest opt-outs.

Cricket Celebration Bowl

Saturday, December 13

Celebration Bowl opt-outs

Here are the opt-outs for this bowl:
South Carolina State
No injuries or opt-outs reported
Prairie View A&M
No injuries or opt-outs reported

Bucked Up LA Bowl

Saturday, December 13

LA Bowl opt-outs

Here are the opt-outs for this bowl:
Boise State
Ty Benefield (SAF)
Kage Casey (OT)
Ben Ford (WR) - injured
Washington
Charlie Crowell (TE) - undisclosed injury
Tacario Davis (CB) - undisclosed injury
Kade Eldridge (TE) - foot injury
Justice Williams (WR) - undisclosed injury
Rashid Williams (WR) - collarbone injury

IS4S Salute to Veterans Bowl

Tuesday, December 16

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Salute to Veterans Bowl opt-outs

Here are the opt-outs for this bowl:
Troy
Tae Meadows (RB) - Transfer Portal
DJ Jackson Jr. (DL) - Transfer Portal
Goose Crowder (QB) - ankle injury
Jacksonville State
Aghogho Eyafe (WR) - undisclosed injury
Lucas Farrington (RB) - undisclosed injury
Nabi Hoyt (WR) - undisclosed injury
Jalen Likely (RB) - undisclosed injury
Brock Rechsteiner (WR) - undisclosed injury

StaffDNA Cure Bowl

Wednesday, Dec. 17

Cure Bowl opt-outs

Here are the opt-outs for this bowl:
Old Dominion
Colton Joseph (QB) - Transfer Portal
Maurki James (RB) - undisclosed injury
Titus Myers (WR) - undisclosed injury
South Florida
Byrum Brown (QB)
Kajuan Banks (CB)
Alex Golesh (HC) - Hired by Auburn
Jaden Alexis (WR) - undisclosed injury
Christian Neptune (WR) - undisclosed injury
Chas Nimrod (WR) - undisclosed injury
Cartevious Norton (RB) - undisclosed injury
Kory Pettigrew (WR) - undisclosed injury
Brandon Winton (WR) - undisclosed injury
Weston Wolff (TE) - undisclosed injury

68 Ventures Bowl

Wednesday, Dec. 17

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68 Ventures Bowl opt-outs

Here are the opt-outs for this bowl:
Louisiana
Bryant Williams (OT) - Transfer Portal
Delaware
Thomas Amankwaa (WR) - undisclosed injury
Ja'Carree Kelly (WR) - undisclosed injury
Zach Marker (QB) - leg injury
Oliver Redd (RB) - undisclosed injury
Calvin Thomas (WR) - undisclosed injury
Connor Witthoft (TE) - undisclosed injury

Xbox Bowl

Wednesday, Dec. 17

Xbox Bowl opt-outs

Here are the opt-outs for this bowl:
Missouri State
Tristian Gardner (WR)
JJ O'Neal (DB)
DJ Wesolak (DL)
Ryan Beard (HC) - Hired by Coastal Carolina
No injuries reported
Arkansas State
Nana Burris (WR) - undisclosed injury
Jabari Bush (TE) - undisclosed injury
Ja'Quez Cross (TE) - undisclosed injury
Tyler Little (TE) - undisclosed injury
Cash Hudson (OC) - Transfer Portal

Myrtle Beach Bowl

Friday, Dec. 19

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Myrtle Beach Bowl opt-outs

Here are the opt-outs for this bowl:
Kennesaw State
JeRico Washington (CB) - Transfer Portal
Caleb Offord (CB) - injury
Garland Benyard (LB) - injury
Antonio Stevens (SAF) - injury
Western Michigan
Nadame Tucker (DE)
Cole Cabana (RB) - injury
Noah Bishop (DL) - injury

Union Home Mortgage Gasparilla Bowl

Friday, Dec. 19

Gasparilla Bowl opt-outs

Here are the opt-outs for this bowl:
Memphis
Ryan Silverfield (HC) - Hired by Arkansas
Travis Burke (OT) - injury
Jaidyn Denis (CB) - injury
Oliver Castaneda (K) - injury
Grant Troutman (QB) - injury
Chauncey Logan Jr. (CB) - injury
Crews Law (LB) - injury
Kourtian Marsh (DB) - injury
Samson Israel (CB) - Transfer Portal
NC State
Justin Joly (TE)
Hollywood Smothers (RB) - Transfer Portal
Brandon Cleveland (DT)
Devon Marshall (CB)
Jacarius Peak (LT)
Kamen Smith (OG) - injury
Brody Barnhardt (SAF) - injury
Sean Brown (LB) - injury
Jamel Johnson (CB) - injury
Jaren Sensabaugh (CB) - injury
Rente Hinton (S) - injury

College Football Playoff Round 1

Friday, Dec. 19

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CFP R1 Game 1 opt-outs

College Football Playoff Round 1

Saturday, Dec. 20

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CFP R1 Game 2 opt-outs

Here are the opt-outs for this game:
Miami
Damari Brown (CB) - injury
Malik Bryant (LB) - injury
Dylan Upshaw (WR) - injury
Keionte Scott (DB) - injury
Texas A&M
Collin Klein (OC) - Hired by Kansas State
Jay Bateman (DC) - Hired by Kentucky
Le'Veon Moss (RB) - injury
Jerome Myles (WR) - injury

College Football Playoff Round 1

Saturday, Dec. 20

CFP R1 Game 3 opt-outs

Here are the opt-outs for this game:
Tulane
Jon Sumrall (HC) - Hired by Florida
TJ Finley (QB) - Transfer Portal
Dickson Agu (LB) - injury
Bryce Bohanon (WR) - injury
Gerrod Henderson (DL) - injury
Dickson Agu (LB) - injury
Jayden Lewis (DB) - injury
LeRon Husbands (TE) - injury
Ty Thompson (TE) - injury
Mississippi
Lane Kiffin (HC) - Hired by LSU
Cedrick Beavers (CB) - injury
Raymond Collins (LB) - injury
Antonio Kite (CB) - injury

College Football Playoff Round 1

Saturday, Dec. 20

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CFP R1 Game 4 opt-outs

Here are the opt-outs for this game:
James Madison
Bob Chesney (HC) - Hired by UCLA
Jamal Olford (CB) - injury
Cam McNair (OL) - injury
Brandon Fique (LB) - injury
Lee Johnson (LB) - injury
Oregon
Will Stein (OC) - Hired by Kentucky
Tosh Lupoi (DC) - Hired by Cal
Dakoda Fields (CB) - Transfer Portal
Jahlil Florence (CB) - Transfer Portal
Bryce Boulton (OL) - injury
Justius Lowe (WR) - injury
Kyle Kasper (WR) - injury
Gernorris Wilson (OL) - injury
Solomon Davis (DB) - injury
Da'Jaun Riggs (RB) - injury

Famous Idaho Potato Bowl

Monday, Dec. 22

Potato Bowl opt-outs

Here are the opt-outs for this bowl:
Washington State
Anthony Palano (LB) - Transfer Portal
Kenny Worthy (CB) - Transfer Portal
Jaxson Porter (QB) - Transfer Portal
Braden Pegan (WR) - Transfer Portal
Tony Freeman (WR) - Transfer Portal
Kirby Vorhees (RB) - Transfer Portal
Carter Pabst (WR) - injury
Brock Dieu (OL) - injury
Utah State
Samson Alofipo (LB_ - injury
Naki Fahina (DL) - injury
Jonathan Baird (S) - injury
Byron Barnes (QB) - injury
Williams Holmes (LB) - injury
Broc Lane (TE) - injury
Jack Hadfield (CB) - injury
Demick Starling (WR) - injury
Corey Thompson Jr. (WR) - injury
Courage Ugo (CB) - injury

Bush's Boca Raton Bowl

Tuesday, Dec. 23

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Boca Raton opt-outs

Here are the opt-outs for this bowl:
Toledo
Jason Candle (HC) - Hired by UConn
Vince Kehres (DC) - Hired by Syracuse
Malachi Davis (EDGE) - Transfer Portal
Braden Awls (DB) - Transfer Portal
Chris D'Appolonia (LB) - Transfer Portal
Stephen Gales (OT) - Transfer Portal
Louisville
Chris Bell (WR) - injury
Rene Konga (DT) 
Wesley Bailey (EDGE)

New Orleans Bowl

Tuesday, Dec. 23

New Orleans Bowl opt-outs

Scooter's Coffee Frisco Bowl

Tuesday, Dec. 23

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Frisco Bowl opt-outs

Here are the opt-outs for this bowl:
UNLV
Alex Orji (QB) - injury
Var'keyes Gumms (TE) - injury
Ohio
Brian Smith (HC) - fired 
Max Rodarte (WR) - injury
Michael Molnar (LB) - injury

Sheraton Hawai'i Bowl

Wednesday, Dec. 24

Hawai'i Bowl opt-outs

Here are the opt-outs for this bowl:
California
Justin Wilcox (HC) - fired
Hawai'i
Jackson Harris (WR) - Transfer Portal
Nick Cenacle (WR) - injury
Virdel Edwards II (CB) - injury
Jamih Otis (LB) - injury

GameAbove Sports Bowl

Friday, Dec. 26

GameAbove Sports Bowl opt-outs

Here are the opt-outs for this bowl:
Central Michigan
Kade Kostus (DL) - Transfer Portal
David Chapeau (P) - Transfer Portal
Angel Flores (QB) - injury
Bryce Rowe (CB) - injury
Northwestern
Cam Porter (RB) - injury
Dashun Reeder (RB) - injury
Drew Wagner (WR) -  injury
Aidan Hubbard (DL) - injury
Richie Hagarty (DL) - injury
Evan Smith (CB) - injury
Fred Davis (CB) - injury

Rate Bowl

Friday, Dec. 26

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Rate Bowl opt-outs

Here are the opt-outs for this bowl:
New Mexico
Michael Buckley (WR) - injury
Richard Pearce (OL) - injury
Xavier Slayton (DL) - injury
Abraham Williams (CB) - injury
Minnesota
Fame Ijeboi (RB) - Transfer Portal
Malachi Coleman (WR) - Transfer Portal
Kenric Lanier (WR) - Transfer Portal
AJ Turner (RB) - injury
Marcellus Marshall (OG) - injury    
Matt Kingsbury (LB) - injury    
Za'Quan Bryan (CB) - injury

SERVPRO First Responder Bowl

Friday, December 26

First Responder Bowl opt-outs

Here are the opt-outs for this bowl:
FIU
Mister Clark (CB) - Transfer Portal
Daniel Michel (OT) - Transfer Portal
Victor Evans III (CB) - Transfer Portal
Jessiah McGrew (SAF) - Transfer Portal
Keyone Jenkins (QB) - injury
Joe Pesansky (QB) - injury
Toddrick Brewton (DL) - injury
Dwight Nunoo (LB) - injury
UTSA
Chidera Otutu (DL) - Transfer Portal
Daemian Wimberly (EDGE) - Transfer Portal
KK Meier (DB) - Transfer Portal
Houston Thomas (TE) - Transfer Portal
Kenny Ozowalu (DL) - Transfer Portal
Davin Martin (CB) - Transfer portal    
Jimmy Wyrick (SAF) - Transfer Portal

Go Bowling Military Bowl

Saturday, December 27

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Military Bowl opt-outs

Here are the opt-outs for this bowl:
Pittsburgh
Kyle Louis (LB) - NFL Draft
Desmond Reid (RB) - NFL Draft
Juelz Goff (RB) - Transfer Portal
Zion Fowler-El (WR) - Transfer Portal
East Carolina
John David Baker (OC) - Hired by Mississippi
Josh Aldridge (DC) - Hired by South Florida 
Katin Houser (QB) - Transfer Portal
Jayvontay Conner (TE) - Transfer Portal
Yannick Smith (WR) - Transfer Portal
Jimarion McCrimon (OT) - Transfer Portal
London Montgomery (RB) - Transfer Portal

Bad Boy Mowers Pinstripe Bowl

Saturday, December 27

Pinstripe Bowl opt-outs

Here are the opt-outs for this bowl:
Penn State
James Franklin (HC) - Fired
Jim Knowles (DC) - Hired by Tennessee
Zane Durant (DL) - NFL Draft
Zakee Wheatley (SAF) - NFL Draft
Olaivavega Ioane (OL) - NFL Draft
Nicholas Singleton (RB) - NFL Draft
Vega Ioane (OG) - NFL Draft
Chaz Coleman (DL) - Transfer Portal
AJ Harris (CB) - Transfer Portal
Elliott Washington (CB) - Transfer Portal
Clemson
Khalil Barnes (SAF) - Transfer Portal
Jamal Anderson (LB) - Transfer Portal
DeMonte Capehart (DT)
Avieon Terrell (CB) - injury
Wade Woodaz (LB) - injury
Dee Crayton (LB) - Transfer Portal
T.J. Parker (EDGE) - NFL Draft
Antonio Williams (WR) - NFL Draft
Avieon Terrell (CB) - NFL Draft
Peter Woods (DT) - NFL Draft

Wasabi Fenway Bowl

Saturday, December 27

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Fenway Bowl opt-outs

Here are the opt-outs for this bowl:
UConn
Jim Mora Jr. (HC) - Hired by Colorado State
Cam Edwards (RB) - Transfer Portal
Joe Fagnano (QB) - NFL Draft
Skyler Bell (WR) - NFL Draft
Mel Brown (RB) - Transfer Portal
Carsten Casady (OT) - Transfer Portal
Cam Chadwick (CB) - Transfer Portal
Oumar Diomande (LB) - Transfer Portal
MJ Flowers (RB) - Transfer Portal
Osiris Gilbert (CB) - Transfer Portal
Alex Honig (TE) - Transfer portal
Ben Murawski (OT) - Transfer Portal
Victor Rosa (RB) - Transfer Portal
Juice Vereen (TE) - Transfer portal
Brady Wayburn (OG) - Transfer Portal 
Army
Briggs Bartosh (RB) - injury
Deshontez Gray (DL) - injury
Tobi Olawole (WR) - injury

Pop-Tarts Bowl

Saturday, December 27

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Pop-Tarts Bowl opt-outs

Here are the opt-outs for this bowl:
Georgia Tech
Buster Faulkner (OC) - Hired by Florida
Aaron Philo (QB) - Transfer Portal
Melvin Jordan IV (LB) - Transfer Portal
Tana Alo-Tupuola OL - Transfer Portal 
BYU
Choe Bryant-Strother (LB) - injury
LJ Martin (RB) - injury

Snopp Dogg Arizona Bowl

Saturday, December 27

Arizona Bowl opt-outs

Here are the opt-outs for this bowl:
Miami (OH)
Dequan Finn (QB)
Luke Evans (CB) - Transfer Portal
Josh Lukusa (DL) - Transfer Portal
Kam Perry (WR) - Transfer Portal
Adam Trick (DL) - Transfer Portal
Drew Terrill (OL) - Transfer Portal
Michael Yharbrough (CB) - Transfer Portal
Fresno State
Jayden Davis (S) - Transfer Portal
Tim Thomas (LB) - Transfer Portal

Isleta New Mexico Bowl

Saturday, Dec. 27

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New Mexico Bowl opt-outs

Here are the opt-outs for this bowl:
North Texas
Eric Morris (HC) - Hired by Oklahoma State
Jordan Davis (OC) - Hired by East Carolina
Saadiq Clements (DL) - Transfer Portal
Johnny Dickson III - Transfer Portal
Jayden Williams (DT) - Transfer Portal
San Diego State
Rob Aurich (DC) - Hired by Nebraska
Jared Badie (EDGE) - Transfer Portal
August Salvati (EDGE) - Transfer Portal

TaxSlayer Gator Bowl

Saturday, Dec. 27

Gator Bowl opt-outs

Here are the opt-outs for this bowl:
Virginia
Ja'Son Prevard (CB)
Missouri
Kirby Moore (OC) - Hired by Washington State
Marquise Davis (RB) - Transfer Portal
Marquis Johnson (WR) - Transfer Portal
Josh Manning (WR) - Transfer Portal
Beau Pribula (QB) - Transfer Portal

Kinder's Texas Bowl

Saturday, Dec. 27

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Texas Bowl opt-outs

Here are the opt-outs for this bowl:
LSU
Aaron Anderson (WR) - NFL Draft
Carius Curne (OL) - Transfer Portal
Mansoor Delane (CB) - NFL Draft
Ahmad Breaux (DL) - Transfer Portal
Harold Perkins Jr. (LB) - East-West Shrine Bowl prep
Houston
Demetrius Hunter (OL)

JLab Birmingham Bowl

Monday, Dec. 29

Birmingham Bowl opt-outs

Here are the opt-outs for this bowl:
Georgia Southern
Denell Nix Jr. (OT) - Transfer Portal
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
Dylan Manuel (DL) - Transfer Portal
Elijah Mc-Cantos (CB) - Transfer Portal
Rondo Porter (DL) - TRansfer Portal
Brayshawn Littlejohn (LB) - Transfer Portal
Denell Nix Jr. (OT) - Transfer Portal
AJ Swann (QB) - Transfer Portal

Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl

Tuesday, Dec. 30

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Independence Bowl opt-outs

Here are the opt-outs for this 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
Michael Richard (DB) - Transfer Portal
Jacob Fields (DB) - Transfer Portal
Mekhi Mason (LB) - Transfer Portal
Omiri Wiggins (RB) - Transfer Portal

Liberty Mutual Music City Bowl

Tuesday, Dec. 30

Music City Bowl opt-outs

Here are the opt-outs for this bowl:
Tennessee
Tim Banks (DC) - Fired
Boo Carter (CB) - Transfer Portal
Jake Merklinger (QB) - Transfer Portal
Arion Carter (LB) - NFL Draft
Chris Brazzell II (WR) - NFL Draft
Illinois
Gabe Jacas (EDGE) - NFL Draft
JC Davis (OT) - NFL Draft

Valero Alamo Bowl

Tuesday, Dec. 30

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Alamo Bowl opt-outs

Here are the opt-outs for this bowl:
USC
D'Anton Lynn (DC) - Hired by Penn State
Makai Lemon (WR) - NFL Draft
Kamari Ramsey (S) - NFL Draft
Braylon Conley (CB) - Transfer Portal
Harry Dalton III (RB) - Transfer Portal
Walker Lyons (TE) - Transfer Portal
Bryan Jackson (RB) - Transfer Portal
DJ Jordan (WR) - Transfer Portal
Devan Thompkins (DL) - Transfer Portal
TCU
Kendal Briles (OC) - Hired by South Carolina
Josh Hoover (QB) - Transfer Portal
Paul Oyewale (DL) - Transfer Portal
Nate Palmer (RB) - Transfer Portal

ReliaQuest Bowl

Wednesday, Dec. 31

ReliaQuest Bowl opt-outs

Here are the opt-outs for this bowl:
Iowa
Judah Mallette (WR) - Transfer Portal
Vanderbilt
Drew Dickey (QB) - Transfer Portal
Eli Stowers (TE)

Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl

Wednesday, Dec. 31

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Sun Bowl opt-outs

Here are the opt-outs for this bowl:
Arizona State
Sam Leavitt (QB) - Transfer Portal
Josh Atkins (OT) - Transfer Portal
Javan Robinson (CB) - Transfer Portal
Tate Romney (LB) - Transfer Portal
Keith Abney II (CB)
Max Iheanachor (RT)
Chamon Metayer (TE)
Keyshaun Elliott (LB)
Jordyn Tyson (WR) - NFL Draft
Duke
Brian Parker II (OT) - NFL Draft
Vincent Anthony Jr. (EDGE) - NFL Draft
Chandler Rivers (DB) - NFL Draft

Cheez-It Citrus Bowl

Wednesday, Dec. 31

Citrus Bowl opt-outs

Here are the opt-outs for this bowl:
Michigan
Jaishawn Barham (LB)
Giovanni El-Hadi (OL)
Derrick Moore (EDGE) - NFL Draft
Texas
CJ Baxter (RB) - Transfer Portal
Jerrick Gibson (RB) - Transfer Portal
Liona Lefau (LB) - Transfer Portal
DeAndre Moore Jr. (WR) - Transfer Portal
Connor Stroh (OL) - Transfer Portal
Quintrevion Wisner (RB) - Transfer Portal
Jaylon Guilbeau (CB) - NFL Draft
Anthony Hill Jr. (LB) - NFL Draft
Trey Moore (EDGE) - NFL Draft
Malik Muhammad (DB) - NFL Draft
Michael Taaffe (DB) - NFL Draft

SRS Distribution Las Vegas Bowl

Wednesday, Dec. 31

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Vegas Bowl opt-outs

Here are the opt-outs for this bowl:
Nebraska
Emmett Johnson (RB) - NFL Draft
Dasan McCullough (LB) - NFL Draft
Rocco Spindler (OL) - NFL Draft
Malcolm Hartzog (DB) - Transfer Portal
Dylan Raiola (QB) - Transfer Portal
Utah
Caleb Lomu (OL) - NFL Draft
Spencer Fano (OL) - NFL Draft
Logan Fano (DE) - NFL Draft

Cotton Bowl: College Football Playoff Quarterfinal

Wednesday, Dec. 31

CFP Quarterfinal 1 opt-outs

Here are the opt-outs for this bowl:
Miami
Daylen Russell (DL) - Transfer Portal
Ohio State
Brian Hartline (OC) - Hired by South Florida
Bryson Rodgers (WR) - Transfer Portal

Orange Bowl: College Football Playoff Quarterfinal

Thursday, Jan. 1

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CFP Quarterfinal 2 opt-outs

Here are the opt-outs for this bowl:
Oregon
Dakota Fields (CB) - Transfer Portal
Texas Tech
NA

Rose Bowl: College Football Playoff Quarterfinal

Thursday, Jan. 1

CFP Quarterfinal 3 opt-outs

Here are the opt-outs for this bowl:
Alabama
NA
Indiana
Makai Jackson (WR) - Transfer Portal

Sugar Bowl: College Football Playoff Quarterfinal

Thursday, Jan. 1

CFP Quarterfinal 4 opt-outs

Here are the opt-outs for this bowl:
Mississippi
Lane Kiffin (HC) - Hired by LSU
Georgia
Daniel Harris (CB) - Transfer Portal

Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl

Friday, Jan. 2

Armed Forces Bowl opt-outs

Here are the opt-outs for this bowl:
Rice
-
Texas State
-

AutoZone Liberty Bowl

Friday, Jan. 2

Liberty Bowl opt-outs

Here are the opt-outs for this bowl:
Navy
-
Cincinnati
Brendan Sorsby (QB) - Transfer Portal

Duke's Mayo Bowl

Friday, Jan. 2

Duke's Mayo Bowl opt-outs

Here are the opt-outs for this bowl:
Wake Forest
-
Mississippi State
-

Trust & Will Holiday Bowl

Friday, Jan. 2

Holiday Bowl opt-outs

Here are the opt-outs for this bowl:
Arizona
-
SMU
-

Fiesta Bowl: College Football Playoff Semifinal

Thursday, Jan. 8

CFP Semifinal 1 opt-outs

We will list the opt-outs of this game once the official matchup is set.

Peach Bowl: College Football Playoff Semifinal

Friday, Jan. 9

CFP Semifinal 2 opt-outs

We will list the opt-outs of this game once the official matchup is set.

College Football Playoff National Championship

Monday, Jan. 20

CFP National Championship opt-outs

We will list the opt-outs of the National Championship once the official matchup is set.

2025 college football bowl game schedule

Why do players opt out of playing in bowl games?

Players skip bowl games mostly for self-preservation and business reasons, not because they don’t care in the outcome of the game.

For top NFL prospects, the main concern is injury risk before the annual draft. A bad knee injury in a mostly “exhibition” bowl can cost millions in draft position and even shorten a career. High-profile cases like Notre Dame star Jaylon Smith, who saw his draft stock drop after suffering a devastating injury in the Fiesta Bowl, is the cautionary tale every agent brings up.

The transfer portal adds another layer. Once a player decides to transfer, playing in a bowl for a staff they’re leaving while risking injury before a fresh start often makes little sense. Some schools have even struggled to field full rosters after large portal waves.

You also see opt-outs tied to coaching changes, NIL and draft training. If a head coach bolts or an OC is fired, players may choose to protect their body, lock in draft prep with trainers, and avoid one more month of hits for a game that doesn’t impact a title chase in the modern CFP era.

What is the Transfer Portal?

The NCAA Transfer Portal is an online database the NCAA launched in 2018 to manage and publicize college athletes’ intent to transfer between schools. It's a sort of  centralized “free agency” board in which coaches and recruiters at other NCAA schools can see a player's profile and legally contact them about transferring once they have officially entered the portal.

For football, the portal is now one of the main roster-building tools at both the FBS and FCS levels. A player who wants to move tells their current school’s compliance office; the school must enter the athlete’s name in the portal within a short time frame (generally two business days). Once listed, the athlete can be recruited by other programs and explore scholarship and playing-time opportunities elsewhere.

Transfers are regulated by portal windows which are specific dates when players can enter their names. Recent rule changes have settled on a single main window for Division I football in early January (with a short extra window for College Football Playoff participants), replacing longer December and spring periods.

Can players enter the Transfer Portal multiple times?

Yes, players now can transfer multiple times without having to sit out a season, as long as they meet academic and timing requirements. This has accelerated roster turnover and made the portal a critical tool for coaches who want experienced players instead of relying solely on high school recruiting.

Can players return to their original school after entering the Transfer Portal?

Yes, although it isn't common. The portal is basically a “I’m open to talking” signal, not an instant transfer. Until a player actually enrolls at a new school and signs scholarship paperwork there, they’re still eligible to return.

The original school has a choice: Once a player enters the portal, the school is allowed (but not required) to pull or reallocate that scholarship for the next term. So coming back usually depends on whether the staff wants them back and whether there’s still a scholarship and roster spot available.

This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here