Thor Nystrom tracks players opting out of upcoming bowl games as well as the coaching changes around the college football landscape. Thor will update the article through the remainder of the season to keep you updated on bowl games, college prospects, and the 2023 NFL Draft.
And below we’ll take a closer look at the upcoming bowl game.
Check out Thor’s projections for all college football bowl games
Rose Bowl: College Football News, Player Opt-Out Tracker & Game Preview (Utah vs. Penn State)
- Monday, January 2 | 4:00 PM
- Utah (-2.5) vs. Penn State | Total: 51.5
- ATL: Utah -0.7 | ATT: 61
Penn State
- QB Christian Veilleux (Transfer portal)
- RB Keyvone Lee (Injury)
- WR Parker Washington (Opt-out)
- WR Jaden Dottin (Injury)
- OT Olumuyiwa Fashanu (Injury)
- DT Rodney McGraw (Transfer portal)
- EDGE Davon Townley Jr. (Transfer portal)
- CB Joey Porter Jr. (Opt-out)
- CB Jeffrey Davis (Transfer portal)
WR Washington, who missed the last two games with injury, declared for the NFL Draft and opted out. He had 46 catches for 611 yards and two TD this fall. All-time in Penn State history, Washington ranks No. 9 in catches, No. 12 in yardage and No. 16 in receiving TD. The 5-foot-10, 212-pounder could be a Day 2 pick.
CB Porter Jr. declared for the draft and opted-out. One of the nation’s best cover corners, Porter was rarely tested by opposing quarterbacks. He was a second-team All-American in 2022. The 6-foot-2, 194-pounder is a likely first-round pick in the spring.
LT Olumuyiwa Fashanu missed the last four games and is up in the air for this one. He did surprisingly announce that he’ll return to school next year, so his status is only health-dependent. Fashanu was a potential top-50 pick. Fashanu is an elite pass-blocker.
DE Nick Tarburton declared for the NFL Draft but announced on social media he will play in the Rose Bowl first.
RB Lee and WR Dottin, both backups, are out indefinitely with undisclosed injuries.
Utah
- RB Tavion Thomas (Opt-out)
- TE Dalton Kincaid (Opt-out)
- EDGE Tyler Wegis (Transfer portal)
- LB Ethan Calvert (Transfer portal)
- CB Malone Mataele (Transfer portal)
- CB Clark Phillips III (Opt-out)
TE Kincaid declared for the NFL Draft and opted-out on Dec. 12. This wasn’t a huge surprise. Kincaid was clearly compromised in the Pac-12 title game, moving gingerly. His draft stock soared as much as any other tight end in the nation this season, so you can’t blame him for not playing if not 100-percent.
RB Thomas declared for the draft and opted out late last month. He is a good back, but Utah has a solid three-man committee backfield even without him. The Utes’ RB depth is still a strength. CB Phillips’ opt-out hurts the most. He was one of the nation’s stickiest cover corners. CB Mataele stopped playing heavy snaps around mid-season.
EDGE Wegis and LB Calvert were little-used backups.
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