The 2023 Sugar Bowl pits No. 2 ranked Washington Huskies against No. 3 ranked Texas Longhorns for a place in the college football National Championship Game.
Unlike most bowl games this postseason, both teams will likely have their full roster of players available. However, Washington and Texas may have some players missing the Playoffs because of injuries or the transfer portal.
Top Texas, Washington Players Not Playing the Sugar Bowl
Using the College Football Network Bowl Game Opt-Out Tracker, we know the players who won’t be playing in the Sugar Bowl and will miss the College Football Playoff Semifinal.
For the full game preview and prediction: Sugar Bowl Prediction – Washington vs. Texas Odds, Spread, DFS Picks, and More
Texas Players To Miss the Sugar Bowl
Despite a decent list of players unavailable for the Sugar Bowl, Texas should be able to put out their starters yet again against Washington. The players not playing tend to be on the fringes of the roster for the Longhorns.
The biggest loss for Texas is safety Jalen Catalon. Transferring in from Arkansas, Catalon had a subpar season in 2023. Despite great success during four seasons with Arkansas, the safety played just eight games as a Longhorn in 2023 and again entered the transfer portal. Catalon has suffered several injuries in his career, limiting his production recently.
The Longhorn will also be without wide receiver Isaiah Neyor, who has opted to enter the transfer portal. Big things were expected of Neyor when he transferred to Texas from Wyoming in 2022, but a torn ACL disrupted his 2022 season. Neyor saw action in one game in 2023.
Texas will also be without QB Maalik Murphy, who has entered the transfer portal. Murphy was serving as the backup for the Longhorns, and as long as Quinn Ewers stays healthy, this isn’t likely to impact the game too much. Murphy has committed to transfer to Duke already this offseason.
Texas Players Expected To Miss the Sugar Bowl:
- Maalik Murphy, QB (transfer portal)
- Isaiah Neyor, WR (transfer portal)
- Casey Cain, WR (transfer portal)
- Sawyer Goram-Welch, OL (transfer portal)
- Kristopher Ross, EDGE (transfer portal)
- Larry Turner-Gooden, DB (transfer portal)
- B.J. Allen Jr., S (transfer portal)
- Jalen Catalon, S (transfer portal)
- Xavion Brice, S (transfer portal)
Washington Players To Miss the Sugar Bowl
Washington’s core remains mostly intact as well. Not very many have since opted out for head coach Kalen DeBoer. Most players that have earned the Huskies their first playoff appearance since 2016 will be available.
The top player missing for Washington is safety Vincent Nunley. In his sophomore season, Nunly played four games in 2023 but had 16 tackles and an interception. He had since fallen on Washington’s depth chart and is looking for another school through the portal.
The Huskies will also be without backup QB Dylan Morris when they face Texas. Morris has played five seasons in Washington, two as a starter, but lost his starting job when Michael Penix transferred in from Indiana. He has now chosen to enter the transfer portal as a grad transfer.
With the form of Heisman Trophy finalist Penix, Morris was unlikely to take to the field regardless. However, Washington has indicated that Morris may still be with the team throughout their playoff journey before transferring out.
Washington Players Expected To Miss the Sugar Bowl:
- Vincent Nunley, S (transfer portal)
- James Smith, CB (transfer portal)
- Dylan Morris, QB (transfer portal)
Miss any action from the top college QB Rankings during the 2023 football season? Want to track all the movement with the college football’s transfer portal? College Football Network has you covered with that and more!