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A running list of college football players skipping 2021-22 bowl games

It’s bowl season in college football, but as we’ve seen in recent years, there are some big names who won’t be playing with their teams and instead preparing for the 2022 NFL Draft.

And it makes sense! Why get injured and cost yourself millions of dollars in a game that’s mostly meaningless? Also, it might help to get started early on training.

So, as you’ll see, there are some big names who are projected to be first-round picks who announced they’re out for bowl season and focused on the future.

Here’s a running list we’ll update as more names come in.

1
QB Kenny Pickett, Pitt

He’s out for Pittsburgh’s Peach Bowl appearance. He was the first QB off the board in ESPN’s first mock draft from Todd McShay.

2
DE Kayvon Thibodeaux, Oregon

No Alamo Bowl for him. He could be the No. 1 overall pick next year.

3
RB Kenneth Walker III, Michigan State

The Spartans will face Pitt in the Peach Bowl without their top running back.

4
RB Leddie Brown, West Virginia

The Guaranteed Rate Bowl won’t have the Mountaineers RB in it.

5
QB Carson Strong, Nevada

He’s out for the Quick Lane Bowl against Western Michigan.

6
WR Treylon Burks, Arkansas

7
S Kyle Hamilton, Notre Dame

He’ll be joined by another teammate bowing out of the Fiesta Bowl …

8
RB Kyren Williams, Notre Dame

9
WR Reggie Roberson, SMU

He won’t be coming up to Boston for the Fenway Bowl, along with his teammate and fellow wideout …

10
WR Danny Gray, SMU

11
LB Brandon Smith, Penn State

12
OT Charles Cross, Mississippi State

He’s out for the Liberty Bowl.

13
RB Sincere McCormick, UTSA

No matchup against San Diego State for the Frisco Bowl for him.

14
RB Breece Hall, Iowa State

While Hall was the Cyclones’ first-ever unanimous All-American, the two-time Big 12 offensive player of the year is sitting out Iowa State’s Cheez-It Bowl matchup against Clemson to prepare for the NFL Draft.

 

15
CB Alontae Taylor, Tennessee

16
RB Rachaad White, Arizona State

He won’t be playing in the Las Vegas Bowl:

17
S Leon O'Neal, Texas A&M

He declared for the draft and will skip the Gator Bowl.

18
RB Isaiah Spiller, Texas A&M

He, too, will be getting ready for the draft.

19
CB Damarri Mathis, Pitt

He won’t play in the Peach Bowl:

20
DE George Karlaftis, Purdue

He declared for the draft, and per head coach Jeff Brohm via SI.com, he confirmed Karlaftis was out for the Music City Bowl.

21
CB Mykael Wright, Oregon

No Alamo Bowl for him:

 

22
RB Tyler Badie, Missouri

The running back is out for the  Armed Forces Bowl against Army:

 

23
WR Chris Olave, Ohio State

Olave is among several Buckeyes opting out of the Rose Bowl game against Utah.

24
WR Garrett Wilson, Ohio State

25
OL Nicholas Petit-Frere, Ohio State

26
DL Haskell Garrett, Ohio State

Wilson, Petit-Frere and Garrett also declared for the NFL Draft and are skipping the Rose Bowl to prep.

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