Editor’s note: This story was originally published Dec. 4 and has been updated.
Happy college football bowl season! With the regular season in the rearview mirror, the college football world is now looking ahead to bowl games and the College Football Playoff matchups.
But as usual, not every player plans on participating in bowl season.
As we’ve seen in recent seasons, many top players elect to sit out of their respective bowl games, often looking ahead to the upcoming NFL Draft. And that trend is continuing through the 2023-24 bowl season.
From the players’ perspective, this makes total sense. Many of them are choosing to protect themselves rather than risk injury (and possibly millions of dollars) playing in a matchup that is largely meaningless in the grand scheme of things. Plus, getting a jump on preparing for the draft can’t hurt.
So we’re keeping track of the players skipping their bowl games with this running list, which will be updated as more players announce their plans for the future and the 2024 NFL Draft.
Caleb Williams, USC QB
Caleb Williams will not play in the Holiday Bowl, Lincoln Riley says.
That basically confirms what we already anticipated about Caleb Williams and declaring for the NFL draft.
— Ryan Kartje (@Ryan_Kartje) December 4, 2023
Ainias Smith, Texas A&M WR
Aggies WR Ainias Smith will miss upcoming bowl due to injury https://t.co/SmC3fa6tq9 pic.twitter.com/sBonDugrJE
— Aggies Wire (@AggiesWire) December 4, 2023
Chop Robinson, Penn State DE
Thank you Penn State! 💙#44out pic.twitter.com/xnqntV57DJ
— Chop (@chopyoungbull) December 5, 2023
Johnny Wilson, Florida State WR
Florida State wide receiver Johnny Wilson (@jjohnnywilson) tells ESPN that he’s leaving school for the NFL Draft. Wilson, a redshirt junior, is projected by scouts as a Top 100 pick. Wilson tells ESPN that he plans to play in the @seniorbowl. pic.twitter.com/ak47Ij3xzy
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) December 6, 2023
Sam Hartman, Notre Dame QB
Drake Maye, North Carolina QB
— Drake Maye (@DrakeMaye2) December 11, 2023
Tez Walker, North Carolina WR
— TEZ!!! (@DevontezWalker) December 12, 2023
Joe Alt, Notre Dame OL
☘️☘️☘️ pic.twitter.com/r5GXsxLQWv
— Joe Alt (@JoeAlt7) December 13, 2023
Laiatu Latu, UCLA DL
UCLA defensive lineman Laiatu Latu will not play in the LA Bowl against Boise State and will turn his attention toward preparing for the NFL draft, coach Chip Kelly said [Dec. 11].
MarShawn Lloyd, USC RB
— MarShawn Lloyd (@m_lloyd_2) December 4, 2023
Theo Johnson, Penn State TE
It’s been real Happy Valley!🖤 pic.twitter.com/UHLm09d7pT
— Theo Johnson (@theo_Johnson_) December 8, 2023
Nate Wiggins, Clemson CB
Jeremiah Trotter, Clemson LB
Jeremiah Trotter Jr. officially announces he’s declaring for the NFL Draft. Can’t wait to watch him on Sundays 🧡💜
[via his IG] pic.twitter.com/mWsSk3est0
— ClemsonSportsNetwork (@ClemsonSportNet) November 28, 2023
Andrew Raym, Oklahoma C
Excited for the next chapter ❤️
Thank you Oklahoma ⭕️🙌🏽
BOOMER SOONER!! pic.twitter.com/3K6JuUug5h— Andrew Raym7️⃣3️⃣ (@andrew_raymBAHS) December 9, 2023
Jawhar Jordan, Louisville RB
Lord, I Thank You. #2024NFLDraft pic.twitter.com/onUVphrbZ9
— Jawhar Jordan (@JaJo_25) December 13, 2023
Cole Bishop, Utah S
Thank you❤️ @Utah_Football pic.twitter.com/qMZJbBrD7O
— Cole Bishop (@Cole_bishop_8) December 8, 2023
Audric Estime, Notre Dame RB
Thank you Notre Dame!💚💚 pic.twitter.com/vL4qwBStnx
— Audric Estime (@AudricEstime) December 14, 2023
Braelon Allen, Wisconsin RB
Last month, Allen announced he’s declaring for the NFL Draft and will miss the Badgers’ ReliaQuest Bowl game against No. 13 LSU.
Brenden Rice, USC WR
Brenden Rice, the son of Pro Football Hall of Famer Jerry Rice, announced his NFL Draft declaration in a NSFW post on social media.
Edgerrin Cooper, Texas A&M LB
— Edgerrin Cooper (@edgerrincooper1) December 12, 2023
Ben Sinnott, Kansas State TE
Thank you K-State💜 pic.twitter.com/CPMdtPVizM
— Ben Sinnott (@ben_sinnott) December 12, 2023
Jordan Morgan, Arizona OL
Trey Benson, Florida State RB
Experience of a lifetime, thank you Florida State ❤️ #NoleFamily pic.twitter.com/pmkbAr293I
— Trey Benson (@trey_uno1) December 17, 2023
Leonard Taylor III, Miami DT
Much love 💯 pic.twitter.com/na98MoJ5DR
— Leonard Taylor ⁵⁶ (@56reasons_) December 3, 2023
James Williams, Miami S
It’s All Love 🫶🏾. #Blessed #BeGreat pic.twitter.com/dmAPycsq6v
— James Williams (@Begreat_20) December 5, 2023
Jayden Daniels, LSU QB
Forever LSU! Thank You!💜💛 pic.twitter.com/4bWi2LleeQ
— Jayden (@JayD__5) December 18, 2023
Taulia Tagovailoa, Maryland QB
Maryland quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa will not play in the Music City Bowl, head coach Mike Locksley said Tuesday.
Tagovailoa ends his college career as the most productive quarterback in Maryland football history.https://t.co/ICT08NIMxY— Testudo Times (@testudotimes) December 19, 2023
Jared Verse, Florida State DE
Thank you for everything, Florida State 🖤 pic.twitter.com/Vxn50rtGBi
— Jared Verse (@JaredVerse1) December 19, 2023
Jaheim Bell, Florida State RB
Highly Blessed & Favored ❤️🍢 pic.twitter.com/t6IOT6GMYA
— Jaheim Bell (@dba_bell) December 17, 2023
Jarrian Jones, Florida State DB
Been A Pleasure🍢 Orange Bowl Next ! pic.twitter.com/YDDsMFnXew
— J.Jones (@JarrianJones) December 15, 2023
Fabien Lovett, Florida State defensive lineman
Zer0 Out🦅 pic.twitter.com/Wd2f7lflmQ
— 🦅 (@fabo_54) December 17, 2023
Taliese Fuaga, Oregon State RT
The Oregonian reported Fuaga declared for the 2024 NFL Draft.
Payton Wilson, NC State LB
— 11 (@payton_wilson21) December 24, 2023
