It’s officially college football bowl season, but not everyone plans on participating.
As we’ve seen in recent years, several big-name players opt to sit out their teams’ respective bowl games to get ready for the NFL Draft. And the 2022-23 bowl season is no different.
From the players’ perspective, this makes total sense. They’re choosing to protect themselves rather than risk injury (and possibly millions of dollars) playing in a matchup that is largely meaningless. Plus, getting a jump on prepping 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 2023 NFL Draft.
Penn State CB Joey Porter Jr.
Thank You Penn State 💙 pic.twitter.com/0Yxx8hE7s2
— Joey Porter Jr. (@jjporter_1) November 30, 2022
The Nittany Lions junior cornerback announced on November 30 he is skipping the Rose Bowl game against Utah and declared for the NFL Draft. He’s a top-20 prospect, according to ESPN’s Todd McShay.
Florida QB Anthony Richardson
Marathon continues… 🏁 pic.twitter.com/3UqmJIWE1d
— Anthony Richardson † (@GVOaant) December 5, 2022
The sophomore quarterback declared for the NFL Draft on December 5 and announced he’s skipping the Gators’ Las Vegas Bowl game against Oregon State. According to ESPN, Richardson is the fourth-best quarterback in this year’s draft class.
Utah RB Tavion Thomas
Gods plan 🙏🏾 thank youuu Utah nation pic.twitter.com/1K00bJdkUg
— Tavion.Thomas (@thiagoothomas9) November 25, 2022
Utah’s leading rusher announced he’s skipping the Rose Bowl game against Penn State to prepare for the NFL Draft and recover from a toe injury he suffered late this season.
Ohio State WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba
Love Go bucks pic.twitter.com/VHx8oUKPH4
— JSN (@jaxon_smith1) December 5, 2022
The junior wide receiver has been dealing with a hamstring injury throughout much of the season, and as a result, he announced December 5 he won’t be playing in Ohio State’s College Football Playoff semifinal game against Georgia in the Peach Bowl. Instead, he’ll focus on getting healthy and prepping for the NFL Draft as a projected first-round pick, per CBS Sports.
Oregon CB Christian Gonzalez
Thank you lord 💚🦆#ProDucks pic.twitter.com/DFXKxqZlVv
— Gonzo (@chrisgonzo28) December 4, 2022
The sophomore cornerback announced on December 4 that he’s skipping Oregon’s Holiday Bowl game against North Carolina to prepare for the NFL Draft. Per ESPN, Gonzalez is the second-best cornerback in the upcoming draft and the No. 17 player overall.
Oklahoma RB Eric Gray
SOONER AND VOL FOR LIFE!! 🖤 pic.twitter.com/Dh1muWkTS8
— ERIC GRAY (@1ericgray) December 3, 2022
The senior running back and, by far, Oklahoma’s leading rusher declared for the NFL Draft on December 3, and that, presumably, means he’s skipping the Sooners’ Cheez-It Bowl game against Florida State.
Oklahoma OT Anton Harrison
Next Chapter ❤️ pic.twitter.com/ecAbYcLfIm
— Anton Harrison ₇₁ (@Ayee_Tonn) November 30, 2022
Oklahoma’s junior offensive lineman announced on November 30 that he’s declaring for the NFL Draft and will forgo his senior season and, presumably, the Sooners’ Cheez-It Bowl appearance.
Oklahoma OT Wanya Morris
To New beginnings 🤍 pic.twitter.com/EoEufLWEAb
— TheWanyaMorris™️ (@wanyamorris64) December 2, 2022
On December 2, the Oklahoma senior offensive lineman and transfer from Tennessee announced he’s opting out of the Sooners’ Cheez-It Bowl game to prepare for the NFL Draft.
Auburn DE Colby Wooden and LB Derick Hall
Auburn family love always and forever War.Damn.Eagle🦅🦅 pic.twitter.com/ZhFaVovphb
— COLBY W (@CJW_21) December 6, 2022
To The Auburn Family…Thank You!!!
🦅❤️ pic.twitter.com/QMWyfWo3vS— Derick Hall II (@derick_hall9) December 6, 2022
Although Auburn isn’t playing in a bowl game, but the junior defensive end and senior linebacker both announced on December 6 that’s they’re declaring for the NFL Draft.
Arkansas LB Drew Sanders
— Drew Sanders (@Drew_16Sanders) December 6, 2022
The junior linebacker told ESPN on December 6 that he’s entering the NFL Draft and will not play in the Liberty Bowl against Kansas. Sanders is projected to be one of the draft’s top linebackers.
