Editor’s note: This post has been updated with new information.
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 2024-25 bowl season isn’t much different, aside from the 12-team College Football Playoff field raising the stakes a bit for some bowls.
Some notable players have also entered the transfer portal ahead of various bowl games, even finding new teams before their old ones play in the postseason.
TRANSFER PORTAL: Tracking the biggest names to enter the college football transfer portal after the 2024 season
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 — again, aside from the playoff.
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 2025 NFL Draft.
Luther Burden III, Missouri WR
Armand Membou, Missouri OL
Always a True Son 🖤💛🖤💛 pic.twitter.com/yIFhyoMqbA
— Armand Membou 🇨🇲 (@armandmembou) December 6, 2024
Kaleb Johnson, Iowa RB
Omarion Hampton, North Carolina RB
Mason Graham, Michigan DL
Will Johnson, Michigan CB
Colston Loveland, Michigan TE
Donovan Edwards, Michigan RB
"This place will always have a special place in my heart, I will always remember the cheers within The Big House,"
Chatted with Michigan Running Back Donovan Edwards who tells me he will NOT play in the @ReliaQuestBowl against Alabama
#GoBlue | @wxyzdetroit pic.twitter.com/v6HqZnaPuA
— Alex Crescenti (@alex_crescenti) December 15, 2024
Shemar Stewart, Texas A&M DL
Nic Scourton, Texas A&M DL
Shemar Turner, Texas A&M DL
Conner Weigman, Texas A&M QB
Will Campbell, LSU OT
Emery Jones, LSU OT
Mason Taylor, LSU TE
Mike Green, Marshall DL
Julian Humphrey, Georgia CB
Jacob Parrish, Kansas State CB
Justice Haynes, Alabama RB
BREAKING: Alabama RB Justice Haynes has entered the NCAA Transfer Portal, @PeteNakos_ reports. https://t.co/vPeeptWrBL pic.twitter.com/gNHGIfcmnk
— On3 (@On3sports) December 13, 2024
Jackson Arnold, Oklahoma QB
Tre Harris, Ole Miss WR
Ole Miss WR Tre Harris to declare for 2025 NFL Draft.
— Underdog NFL (@Underdog__NFL) December 6, 2024
Miller Moss, USC QB
Thomas Castellanos, Boston College QB
BREAKING: Former Boston College QB Thomas Castellanos has Committed to Florida State, he tells @on3sports
The 5’11 205 QB totaled 3,689 yards passing and 33 TDs
Added 1,427 yards on the ground & 15 TDs (3 seasons)https://t.co/yuw149Hlnk pic.twitter.com/66he3s5y7m
— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) December 12, 2024
Tyler Shough, Louisville QB
Maalik Murphy, Duke QB
Duke starting QB Maalik Murphy plans to enter the NCAA transfer portal, he told ESPN. Murphy led Duke to a 9-3 record and set the school record with 26 touchdown passes. He threw for 2,933 yards in his lone season at Duke. pic.twitter.com/kCJE1TttiN
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) December 10, 2024
Kaidon Salter, Liberty QB
John Mateer, Washington State QB
BREAKING: Sources tell @Bdrumm_Rivals and @ParkerThune that Washington State QB John Mateer has informed the program of his intention to transfer.
Mateer’s portal entry is expected to include a no-contact tag.
STORY ➡️ https://t.co/CRhGm3lrgz pic.twitter.com/zo9v32AZ2a
— OUInsider (@OUInsider) December 16, 2024
Darian Mensah, Tulane QB
Kevin Concepcion, NC State WR
Eric Singleton Jr., Georgia Tech WR
Gods Plan 🙏🏾 https://t.co/9vlLSv3Uvw
— Eric Singleton Jr. (@EricSingletonJ2) December 9, 2024
