College Football Bowl Game Opt-Out Tracker

College football bowl season has long been a huge holiday tradition for bettors, but analyzing the bowl game odds isn’t as easy as simply breaking down the team.

Thanks to the NCAA’s transfer portal, keeping up with which players are actually participating is now equally as important.

Advertisement

To help you stay on top of all the movement, we will have a game-by-game opt-out tracker — plus live college football odds — for each Bowl Game matchup.

Bowl game opt-outs and injuries for 2025-26

Here is the full slate of 2025-26 bowl game matchups. Click on a specific bowl to see the latest opt-outs.

Cricket Celebration Bowl

Saturday, December 13

Celebration Bowl opt-outs

Here are the opt-outs for this bowl:South Carolina StateNo injuries or opt-outs reportedPrairie View A&MNo injuries or opt-outs reported

Bucked Up LA Bowl

Saturday, December 13

LA Bowl opt-outs

Here are the opt-outs for this bowl:Boise StateTy Benefield (SAF)Kage Casey (OT)Ben Ford (WR) – injuredWashingtonCharlie Crowell (TE) – undisclosed injuryTacario Davis (CB) – undisclosed injuryKade Eldridge (TE) – foot injuryJustice Williams (WR) – undisclosed injuryRashid Williams (WR) – collarbone injury

IS4S Salute to Veterans Bowl

Tuesday, December 16

Advertisement

Salute to Veterans Bowl opt-outs

Here are the opt-outs for this bowl:TroyTae Meadows (RB) – Transfer PortalDJ Jackson Jr. (DL) – Transfer PortalGoose Crowder (QB) – ankle injuryJacksonville StateAghogho Eyafe (WR) – undisclosed injuryLucas Farrington (RB) – undisclosed injuryNabi Hoyt (WR) – undisclosed injuryJalen Likely (RB) – undisclosed injuryBrock Rechsteiner (WR) – undisclosed injury

StaffDNA Cure Bowl

Wednesday, Dec. 17

Cure Bowl opt-outs

Here are the opt-outs for this bowl:Old DominionColton Joseph (QB) – Transfer PortalMaurki James (RB) – undisclosed injuryTitus Myers (WR) – undisclosed injurySouth FloridaByrum Brown (QB)Kajuan Banks (CB)Alex Golesh (HC) – Hired by AuburnJaden Alexis (WR) – undisclosed injuryChristian Neptune (WR) – undisclosed injuryChas Nimrod (WR) – undisclosed injuryCartevious Norton (RB) – undisclosed injuryKory Pettigrew (WR) – undisclosed injuryBrandon Winton (WR) – undisclosed injuryWeston Wolff (TE) – undisclosed injury

68 Ventures Bowl

Wednesday, Dec. 17

Advertisement

68 Ventures Bowl opt-outs

Here are the opt-outs for this bowl:LouisianaBryant Williams (OT) – Transfer PortalDelawareThomas Amankwaa (WR) – undisclosed injuryJa’Carree Kelly (WR) – undisclosed injuryZach Marker (QB) – leg injuryOliver Redd (RB) – undisclosed injuryCalvin Thomas (WR) – undisclosed injuryConnor Witthoft (TE) – undisclosed injury

Xbox Bowl

Wednesday, Dec. 17

Xbox Bowl opt-outs

Here are the opt-outs for this bowl:Missouri StateTristian Gardner (WR)JJ O’Neal (DB)DJ Wesolak (DL)Ryan Beard (HC) – Hired by Coastal CarolinaNo injuries reportedArkansas StateNana Burris (WR) – undisclosed injuryJabari Bush (TE) – undisclosed injuryJa’Quez Cross (TE) – undisclosed injuryTyler Little (TE) – undisclosed injuryCash Hudson (OC) – Transfer Portal

Myrtle Beach Bowl

Friday, Dec. 19

Advertisement

Myrtle Beach Bowl opt-outs

Here are the opt-outs for this bowl:Kennesaw StateJeRico Washington (CB) – Transfer PortalCaleb Offord (CB) – injuryGarland Benyard (LB) – injuryAntonio Stevens (SAF) – injuryWestern MichiganNadame Tucker (DE)Cole Cabana (RB) – injuryNoah Bishop (DL) – injury

Union Home Mortgage Gasparilla Bowl

Friday, Dec. 19

Gasparilla Bowl opt-outs

Here are the opt-outs for this bowl:MemphisRyan Silverfield (HC) – Hired by ArkansasTravis Burke (OT) – injuryJaidyn Denis (CB) – injuryOliver Castaneda (K) – injuryGrant Troutman (QB) – injuryChauncey Logan Jr. (CB) – injuryCrews Law (LB) – injuryKourtian Marsh (DB) – injurySamson Israel (CB) – Transfer PortalNC StateJustin Joly (TE)Hollywood Smothers (RB) – Transfer PortalBrandon Cleveland (DT)Devon Marshall (CB)Jacarius Peak (LT)Kamen Smith (OG) – injuryBrody Barnhardt (SAF) – injurySean Brown (LB) – injuryJamel Johnson (CB) – injuryJaren Sensabaugh (CB) – injuryRente Hinton (S) – injury

College Football Playoff Round 1

Friday, Dec. 19

Advertisement

CFP R1 Game 1 opt-outs

Here are the opt-outs for this game:AlabamaZabien Brown (CB) – injuryJosh Cuevas (TE) – injuryKelby Collins (DL) – injuryKevin Dewberry (OG) – injuryJustin Jefferson (LB) – injuryJam Miller (RB) – injuryLT Overton (DL) – injuryKevin Riley (RB) – injuryDre Kirkpatrick Jr. (DB) – injuryJah-Marien Latham (LB) – injuryKameron Howard (DB) – injuryJeremiah Beaman (DL) – injury

OklahomaJovantae Barnes (RB) – injuryHeath Ozaeta (OG) – injuryJake Maikkula (OG) – injuryTroy Everett (OL) – injuryMykel Patterson-McDonald – Transfer PortalR Mason Thomas (DL) – injuryGentry Williams (CB) – injuryJeremiah Newcombe (DB) – injuryGentry Williams (DB) – injuryTroy Everett (OL) – injury

College Football Playoff Round 1

Saturday, Dec. 20

Advertisement

CFP R1 Game 2 opt-outs

Here are the opt-outs for this game:MiamiDamari Brown (CB) – injuryMalik Bryant (LB) – injuryDylan Upshaw (WR) – injuryKeionte Scott (DB) – injuryTexas A&MCollin Klein (OC) – Hired by Kansas StateJay Bateman (DC) – Hired by KentuckyLe’Veon Moss (RB) – injuryJerome Myles (WR) – injury

College Football Playoff Round 1

Saturday, Dec. 20

CFP R1 Game 3 opt-outs

Here are the opt-outs for this game:TulaneJon Sumrall (HC) – Hired by FloridaTJ Finley (QB) – Transfer PortalDickson Agu (LB) – injuryBryce Bohanon (WR) – injuryGerrod Henderson (DL) – injuryDickson Agu (LB) – injuryJayden Lewis (DB) – injuryLeRon Husbands (TE) – injuryTy Thompson (TE) – injuryMississippiLane Kiffin (HC) – Hired by LSUCedrick Beavers (CB) – injuryRaymond Collins (LB) – injuryAntonio Kite (CB) – injury

College Football Playoff Round 1

Saturday, Dec. 20

Advertisement

CFP R1 Game 4 opt-outs

Here are the opt-outs for this game:James MadisonBob Chesney (HC) – Hired by UCLAJamal Olford (CB) – injuryCam McNair (OL) – injuryBrandon Fique (LB) – injuryLee Johnson (LB) – injuryOregonWill Stein (OC) – Hired by KentuckyTosh Lupoi (DC) – Hired by CalDakoda Fields (CB) – Transfer PortalJahlil Florence (CB) – Transfer PortalBryce Boulton (OL) – injuryJustius Lowe (WR) – injuryKyle Kasper (WR) – injuryGernorris Wilson (OL) – injurySolomon Davis (DB) – injuryDa’Jaun Riggs (RB) – injury

Famous Idaho Potato Bowl

Monday, Dec. 22

Potato Bowl opt-outs

Here are the opt-outs for this bowl:Washington StateAnthony Palano (LB) – Transfer PortalKenny Worthy (CB) – Transfer PortalJaxson Porter (QB) – Transfer PortalBraden Pegan (WR) – Transfer PortalTony Freeman (WR) – Transfer PortalKirby Vorhees (RB) – Transfer PortalCarter Pabst (WR) – injuryBrock Dieu (OL) – injuryUtah StateSamson Alofipo (LB_ – injuryNaki Fahina (DL) – injuryJonathan Baird (S) – injuryByron Barnes (QB) – injuryWilliams Holmes (LB) – injuryBroc Lane (TE) – injuryJack Hadfield (CB) – injuryDemick Starling (WR) – injuryCorey Thompson Jr. (WR) – injuryCourage Ugo (CB) – injury

Bush’s Boca Raton Bowl

Tuesday, Dec. 23

Advertisement

Boca Raton opt-outs

Here are the opt-outs for this bowl:ToledoJason Candle (HC) – Hired by UConnVince Kehres (DC) – Hired by SyracuseMalachi Davis (EDGE) – Transfer PortalBraden Awls (DB) – Transfer PortalChris D’Appolonia (LB) – Transfer PortalStephen Gales (OT) – Transfer PortalLouisvilleChris Bell (WR) – injuryRene Konga (DT) Wesley Bailey (EDGE)

New Orleans Bowl

Tuesday, Dec. 23

New Orleans Bowl opt-outs

Here are the opt-outs for this bowl:Western KentuckyDylan Flowers (CB) – Transfer PortalCaleb Nitta (OL) – Transfer PortalLa’Vell Wright (RB) – Transfer PortalSouthern MissCharles Huff (HC) – Hired by MemphisCorey Myrick (SAF) – Transfer PortalBlake Bustard (OT) – injuryJJ Hawks (DL) – injury

Scooter’s Coffee Frisco Bowl

Tuesday, Dec. 23

Advertisement

Frisco Bowl opt-outs

Here are the opt-outs for this bowl:UNLVAlex Orji (QB) – injuryVar’keyes Gumms (TE) – injuryOhioBrian Smith (HC) – fired Max Rodarte (WR) – injuryMichael Molnar (LB) – injury

Sheraton Hawai’i Bowl

Wednesday, Dec. 24

Hawai’i Bowl opt-outs

Here are the opt-outs for this bowl:CaliforniaJustin Wilcox (HC) – firedHawai’iJackson Harris (WR) – Transfer PortalNick Cenacle (WR) – injuryVirdel Edwards II (CB) – injuryJamih Otis (LB) – injury

GameAbove Sports Bowl

Friday, Dec. 26

GameAbove Sports Bowl opt-outs

Here are the opt-outs for this bowl:Central MichiganKade Kostus (DL) – Transfer PortalDavid Chapeau (P) – Transfer PortalNorthwestern-

Rate Bowl

Friday, Dec. 26

Advertisement

Rate Bowl opt-outs

Here are the opt-outs for this bowl:New Mexico- MinnesotaFame Ijeboi (RB) – Transfer PortalMalachi Coleman (WR) – Transfer PortalKenric Lanier (WR) – Transfer Portal

SERVPRO First Responder Bowl

Friday, December 26

First Responder Bowl opt-outs

Here are the opt-outs for this bowl:FIUMister Clark (CB) – Transfer PortalVictor Evans III (CB)UTSAChidera Otutu (DL) – Transfer PortalDaemian Wimberly (EDGE) – Transfer PortalKK Meier (DB) – Transfer Portal

Go Bowling Military Bowl

Saturday, December 27

Military Bowl opt-outs

Here are the opt-outs for this bowl:PittsburghKyle Louis (LB) – NFL DraftEast CarolinaKatin Houser (QB) – Transfer PortalJayvontay Conner (TE) – Transfer PortalYannick Smith (WR) – Transfer Portal

Bad Boy Mowers Pinstripe Bowl

Saturday, December 27

Advertisement

Pinstripe Bowl opt-outs

Here are the opt-outs for this bowl:Penn StateZane Durant (DL) – NFL DraftZakee Wheatley (SAF) – NFL DraftOlaivavega Ioane (OL) – NFL DraftNicholas Singleton (RB) – NFL DraftVega Ioane (OG) – NFL DraftAJ Harris (CB) – Transfer PortalClemsonKhalil Barnes (SAF) – Transfer PortalJamal Anderson (LB) – Transfer PortalDeMonte Capehart (DT)Avieon Terrell (CB) – injuryDee Crayton (LB) – Transfer PortalT.J. Parker (EDGE) – NFL DraftAntonio Williams (WR) – NFL DraftPeter Woods (DT) – NFL Draft

Wasabi Fenway Bowl

Saturday, December 27

Fenway Bowl opt-outs

Here are the opt-outs for this bowl:UConnCam Edwards (RB) – Transfer PortalJoe Fagnano (QB) – NFL DraftSkyler Bell (WR) – NFL DraftMel Brown (RB) – Transfer PortalBen Murawski (OT) – Transfer PortalCarsten Casady (OT) – Transfer PortalCam Chadwick (CB) – Transfer PortalMJ Flowers (RB) – Transfer PortalBrady Wayburn (OG) – Transfer PortalOumar Diomande (LB) – Transfer PortalOsiris Gilbert (CB) – Transfer PortalVictor Rosa (RB) – Transfer PortalArmy-

Pop-Tarts Bowl

Saturday, December 27

Advertisement

Pop-Tarts Bowl opt-outs

Here are the opt-outs for this bowl:Georgia Tech- BYU-

Snopp Dogg Arizona Bowl

Saturday, December 27

Arizona Bowl opt-outs

Here are the opt-outs for this bowl:Miami (OH)Dequan Finn (QB)Kam Perry (WR) – Transfer PortalAdam Trick (DL) – Transfer PortalMichael Yharbrough (CB) – Transfer PortalFresno State-

Isleta New Mexico Bowl

Saturday, Dec. 27

New Mexico Bowl opt-outs

Here are the opt-outs for this bowl:North Texas- San Diego StateJared Badie (EDGE) – Transfer PortalAugust Salvati (EDGE) – Transfer Portal

TaxSlayer Gator Bowl

Saturday, Dec. 27

Gator Bowl opt-outs

Here are the opt-outs for this bowl:VirginiaJa’Son Prevard (CB)MissouriMarquis Johnson (WR) – Transfer PortalBeau Pribula (QB) – Transfer Portal

Kinder’s Texas Bowl

Saturday, Dec. 27

Advertisement

Texas Bowl opt-outs

Here are the opt-outs for this bowl:LSUAaron Anderson (WR) – NFL DraftMansoor Delane (CB) – NFL DraftAhmad Breaux (DL) – Transfer PortalHarold Perkins Jr. (LB) – East-West Shrine Bowl prepHoustonDemetrius Hunter (OL)

JLab Birmingham Bowl

Monday, Dec. 29

Birmingham Bowl opt-outs

Here are the opt-outs for this bowl:Georgia Southern- App State-

Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl

Tuesday, Dec. 30

Independence Bowl opt-outs

Here are the opt-outs for this bowl:Coastal Carolina- Louisiana Tech-

Liberty Mutual Music City Bowl

Tuesday, Dec. 30

Music City Bowl opt-outs

Here are the opt-outs for this bowl:TennesseeBoo Carter (CB) – Transfer PortalJake Merklinger (QB) – Transfer PortalIllinois-

Valero Alamo Bowl

Tuesday, Dec. 30

Advertisement

Alamo Bowl opt-outs

Here are the opt-outs for this bowl:USCMakai Lemon (WR) – NFL DraftTCUJosh Hoover (QB) – Transfer Portal

ReliaQuest Bowl

Wednesday, Dec. 31

ReliaQuest Bowl opt-outs

Here are the opt-outs for this bowl:IowaJudah Mallette (WR) – Transfer PortalVanderbilt-

Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl

Wednesday, Dec. 31

Sun Bowl opt-outs

Here are the opt-outs for this bowl:Arizona StateSam Leavitt (QB) – Transfer PortalChamon Metayer (TE)DukeBrian Parker II (OT) – NFL Draft

Cheez-It Citrus Bowl

Wednesday, Dec. 31

Citrus Bowl opt-outs

Here are the opt-outs for this bowl:MichiganJaishawn Barham (LB)Giovanni El-Hadi (OL)Derrick Moore (EDGE) – NFL DraftTexasCJ Baxter (RB)Jaylon Guilbeau (CB) – NFL Draft

SRS Distribution Las Vegas Bowl

Wednesday, Dec. 31

Advertisement

Vegas Bowl opt-outs

Here are the opt-outs for this bowl:NebraskaEmmett Johnson (RB) – NFL DraftDasan McCullough (LB) – NFL DraftUtahCaleb Lomu (OL) – NFL DraftSpencer Fano (OL) – NFL DraftLogan Fano (DE) – NFL Draft

Cotton Bowl: College Football Playoff Quarterfinal

Wednesday, Dec. 31

CFP Quarterfinal 1 opt-outs

We will list the opt-outs of this game once the official matchup is set.

Orange Bowl: College Football Playoff Quarterfinal

Thursday, Jan. 1

CFP Quarterfinal 2 opt-outs

We will list the opt-outs of this game once the official matchup is set.

Rose Bowl: College Football Playoff Quarterfinal

Thursday, Jan. 1

Advertisement

CFP Quarterfinal 3 opt-outs

We will list the opt-outs of this game once the official matchup is set.

Sugar Bowl: College Football Playoff Quarterfinal

Thursday, Jan. 1

CFP Quarterfinal 4 opt-outs

We will list the opt-outs of this game once the official matchup is set.

Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl

Friday, Jan. 2

Armed Forces Bowl opt-outs

Here are the opt-outs for this bowl:Rice- Texas State-

AutoZone Liberty Bowl

Friday, Jan. 2

Liberty Bowl opt-outs

Here are the opt-outs for this bowl:Navy- CincinnatiBrendan Sorsby (QB) – Transfer Portal

Duke’s Mayo Bowl

Friday, Jan. 2

Duke’s Mayo Bowl opt-outs

Here are the opt-outs for this bowl:Wake Forest- Mississippi State-

Trust & Will Holiday Bowl

Friday, Jan. 2

Advertisement

Holiday Bowl opt-outs

Here are the opt-outs for this bowl:Arizona- SMU-

Fiesta Bowl: College Football Playoff Semifinal

Thursday, Jan. 8

CFP Semifinal 1 opt-outs

We will list the opt-outs of this game once the official matchup is set.

Peach Bowl: College Football Playoff Semifinal

Friday, Jan. 9

CFP Semifinal 2 opt-outs

We will list the opt-outs of this game once the official matchup is set.

College Football Playoff National Championship

Monday, Jan. 20

CFP National Championship opt-outs

We will list the opt-outs of the National Championship once the official matchup is set.

2025 college football bowl game schedule

Why do players opt out of playing in bowl games?

Players skip bowl games mostly for self-preservation and business reasons, not because they don’t care in the outcome of the game.

Advertisement

For top NFL prospects, the main concern is injury risk before the annual draft. A bad knee injury in a mostly “exhibition” bowl can cost millions in draft position and even shorten a career. High-profile cases like Notre Dame star Jaylon Smith, who saw his draft stock drop after suffering a devastating injury in the Fiesta Bowl, is the cautionary tale every agent brings up.

The transfer portal adds another layer. Once a player decides to transfer, playing in a bowl for a staff they’re leaving while risking injury before a fresh start often makes little sense. Some schools have even struggled to field full rosters after large portal waves.

You also see opt-outs tied to coaching changes, NIL and draft training. If a head coach bolts or an OC is fired, players may choose to protect their body, lock in draft prep with trainers, and avoid one more month of hits for a game that doesn’t impact a title chase in the modern CFP era.

What is the Transfer Portal?

The NCAA Transfer Portal is an online database the NCAA launched in 2018 to manage and publicize college athletes’ intent to transfer between schools. It’s a sort of  centralized “free agency” board in which coaches and recruiters at other NCAA schools can see a player’s profile and legally contact them about transferring once they have officially entered the portal.

Advertisement

For football, the portal is now one of the main roster-building tools at both the FBS and FCS levels. A player who wants to move tells their current school’s compliance office; the school must enter the athlete’s name in the portal within a short time frame (generally two business days). Once listed, the athlete can be recruited by other programs and explore scholarship and playing-time opportunities elsewhere.

Transfers are regulated by portal windows which are specific dates when players can enter their names. Recent rule changes have settled on a single main window for Division I football in early January (with a short extra window for College Football Playoff participants), replacing longer December and spring periods.

Can players enter the Transfer Portal multiple times?

Yes, players now can transfer multiple times without having to sit out a season, as long as they meet academic and timing requirements. This has accelerated roster turnover and made the portal a critical tool for coaches who want experienced players instead of relying solely on high school recruiting.

Advertisement

Can players return to their original school after entering the Transfer Portal?

Yes, although it isn’t common. The portal is basically a “I’m open to talking” signal, not an instant transfer. Until a player actually enrolls at a new school and signs scholarship paperwork there, they’re still eligible to return.

The original school has a choice: Once a player enters the portal, the school is allowed (but not required) to pull or reallocate that scholarship for the next term. So coming back usually depends on whether the staff wants them back and whether there’s still a scholarship and roster spot available.

This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here