Updated list of college football stars skipping bowl games for 2023 NFL Draft

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The list of players who skip bowl games ahead of the NFL Draft seems to get longer each year.

Players know the risks of participating in the extra game. It continues to present injury risks that could jeopardize their futures in the sport. 

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But the decisions do have benefits for the teams that lose such players. When the NFL-bound starters decide to sit and look to the future, teams get the chance to see what the next players up at each position might offer in the upcoming season.

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Which players will be sitting out their bowl games in 2022-23? The Sporting News is tracking the stars who will not be playing in their team’s final games this season.

MORE: 2022 college football bowl schedule

College football players skipping bowl games

  • Oklahoma DL Jalen Redmond
  • Oklahoma OT Anton Harrison
  • Oklahoma OT Wanya Morris
  • Oklahoma RB Eric Gray
  • Oregon CB Christian Gonzalez
  • Penn State CB Joey Porter Jr.
  • Pitt DT Calijah Kancey
  • Utah RB Tavion Thomas

According to the OU Daily, four Oklahoma players have opted out of the Cheez-It Bowl against Florida State. Running back Eric Gray, who rushed 213 times for 1,366 yards and 11 touchdowns; defensive lineman Jalen Redmond, who had four sacks and 10 tackles for loss in his redshirt junior year; and offensive tackles Anton Harrison and Wanya Morris will each sit out.  

One of the top players to opt out, Penn State cornerback Joey Porter Jr., announced he would miss the Rose Bowl against Utah to prepare for the NFL Draft. Porter had 27 tackles and 11 pass breakups and was a first-team All-Big Ten selection.

Penn State’s opponent will also be without one of its top players. Utes running back Tavion Thomas announced before Utah’s Pac-12 championship victory over USC his intention to sit out the remainder of the season, citing a toe injury. Thomas had 142 carries for 687 yards and seven touchdowns in 2022.

Oregon cornerback Christian Gonzalez, a possible first-round selection, announced he would be opting out of the Holiday Bowl against North Carolina. The redshirt sophomore corner registered 50 tackles, including one for a loss, four interceptions and seven pass breakups.

Pitt junior defensive tackle Calijah Kancey, the ACC Defensive Player of the Year, said he would not be participating in the Panthers’ Sun Bowl game against UCLA due to his health. He will continue to help prepare his teammates for the game. He has not yet announced his intentions to declare for the NFL Draft. He finished the season with 7.5 sacks, 14.5 tackles for loss and 31 total tackles.

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