Just like marching bands and mayonnaise pranks, players opting out of bowl games has become a tradition this time of year in college football.
Below is a list of notable players who have decided to skip their team’s postseason game in favor of preparing for the NFL Draft, as well as where they fit in ESPN expert Mel Kiper’s prospect rankings and other key information.
More about the NFL Draft:
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All times Eastern
Starco Brands LA Bowl
UCLA vs. Boise State
December 16, 7:30 PM ET, ABC/ESPN+
UCLA DL Laiatu side: The No. 10 overall player on Kiper’s Big Board and the highest-rated outside linebacker, Latu won the Lombardi Award, given to the nation’s top defensive lineman, and was named the Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year.
• More about Lato
Duke mayonnaise bowl
North Carolina vs. West Virginia
December 27, 5:30 PM ET, ESPN/ESPN+
North Carolina QB Drake Maye: Maye, a redshirt sophomore who was Kiper’s No. 3 overall pick and No. 2 quarterback, started all 26 games in his UNC career.
• More about May
North Carolina WR Tees Walker: Walker played eight games at UNC after transferring from Kent State.
DirecTV Holiday Bowl
Louisville vs. USC
December 27, 8pm ET, Fox
USC QB Caleb Williams: Williams is the highest-rated prospect in the overall draft behind Kiper. He threw for 3,633 yards and 30 touchdowns during USC’s disappointing 7-5 season.
• More about Williams
USC WR Brenden Rice: The son of Pro Football Hall of Famer Jerry Rice, Brenden Rice had 791 yards and 12 touchdowns this season and averaged 17.6 yards per catch.
• More about rice
TaxAct Texas Bowl
Texas A&M vs Oklahoma State
December 27, 9pm ET, ESPN/ESPN+
Texas A&M LB Edgerrin Cooper: Cooper, the top-rated off-ball quarterback on Kiper’s Big Board, was a first-team AP All-American this season. He led the SEC with 17 tackles for loss.
• More about Cooper
Bad Boy Mowers Pinstripe Bowl
Rutgers vs. Miami
December 28, 2:15 PM ET, ESPN/ESPN+
Miami S Cam Keynes: Listed as #1 for safety by Kiper.
Pop-Tarts Bowl
NC State vs. Kansas State
December 28, 5:45 PM ET, ESPN/ESPN+
Kansas State TE Ben Sinnott: Listed as Kiper’s No. 2 back/H-back, Sinnott earned first-team All-Big 12 honors this season with 49 points.
• More about Sinnott
Valero Alamo Bowl
arizona vs. Oklahoma
December 28, 9:15 PM ET, ESPN/ESPN+
Oklahoma OL Tyler Guyton: Guyton is Kiper’s No. 7 offensive tackle.
Oklahoma OL Andrew Rhime: Rhime started 12 games this season for the Sooners.
Arizona OL Jordan Morgan: Morgan is Kiper’s No. 6 offensive tackle.
TaxSlayer Crocodile Pot
Clemson vs. Kentucky
Dec. 29, noon ET, ESPN, ESPN+
Clemson CB Nate Wiggins: Wiggins, the No. 24 overall prospect and Kiper’s No. 4 cornerback, has had two interceptions and two forced fumbles this season.
• More about Wiggins
Tony the Tiger Sun Ball
Oregon State vs. Notre Dame
December 29, 2 pm ET, on CBS
Oregon OL Talese Productions: Fuaga is Kiper’s No. 17 player and his No. 3 offensive tackle.
Notre Dame OL Joe Alternate: Alt is Kiper’s No. 15 player and his No. 2 offensive tackle.
• More about the alternative
Notre Dame QB Sam Hartman: Hartman had 2,689 receiving yards with 26 touchdowns and eight interceptions in his only season at Notre Dame after transferring from Wake Forest.
• More about Hartmann
Notre Dame RB Odrick Estimation: Estime rushed for 1,341 yards, averaging 6.4 yards per carry. He scored 18 rushing touchdowns for the Irish.
• More about estimation
Chick fil peaches bowl
Ole Miss vs. Penn State
Dec. 30, noon ET, ESPN/ESPN+
Penn State DL Chubb Robinson: A first-team All-Big Ten selection this season, Robinson is Kiper’s No. 4 outside linebacker.
• More about Robinson
Capital One Orange Bowl
Georgia vs. Florida State
December 30, 4pm ET, ESPN/ESPN+
Florida State WR Johnny Wilson: The 6-foot-7 Wilson had 1,757 yards and eight touchdown catches and averaged 17.1 yards per catch over four college seasons — two at FSU and two at Arizona State.
• More about Wilson
Florida State RB Trey Benson: Benson rushed for 905 yards and 14 touchdowns that season. He is Kiper’s No. 2 running back.
• More about Benson
Real Quest Bowl
Wisconsin vs. LSU
Jan. 1, noon ET, ESPN2/ESPN+
LSU QB Jayden Daniels: The Heisman Trophy winner is projected to be a top-5 prospect by ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr.
• More about Daniels
Caleb Williams is a talented NFL Draft prospect who made the decision to opt out of college, foregoing his remaining eligibility in order to pursue his professional football career. With his impressive skills and potential, Williams has garnered attention from NFL scouts and is considered to be a promising prospect for the upcoming draft. Despite his unconventional path to the NFL, Williams is determined to showcase his abilities and make a significant impact at the next level.