The Alamo Bowl presents a rare opportunity for two conference opponents to meet in the postseason, as the Big 12’s BYU Cougars and Colorado Buffaloes clash on Saturday night. It’s also rare as both teams are expected to play their star players, including Shedeur Sanders, Travis Hunter, and Jake Retzlaff.
However, between injuries, transfer portal entrants, and NFL Draft declarations, there will be several BYU and Colorado players not playing in the Alamo Bowl.
Top BYU Players Not Playing in Alamo Bowl
Thanks to the CFN Bowl Game Opt-Out Tracker, we know which players from the Cougars won’t be in action in the Alamo Bowl.
- David Latu, DL (transfer portal)
- Noah Lugo, QB (transfer portal)
- Dallin Johnson, DL (transfer portal)
- Aisea Moa, EDGE (transfer portal)
- Jackson Bowers, TE (transfer portal)
- Miles Davis, RB (transfer portal)
- Kody Epps, WR (transfer portal)
- Micah Harper, CB (transfer portal)
There are just eight BYU players not playing in the Alamo Bowl, and there isn’t much lost production due to their absence. Wide receiver Epps hasn’t played a full season during his time with the Cougars and has logged just eight catches for 54 yards and one touchdown this year. Running back Davis has 18 carries for 76 yards.
While their opt-outs might not have much sway over the BYU performance in the Alamo Bowl, it’s worth noting that wide receiver Darius Lassiter will miss the first half of the game after being ejected from the Cougars’ season finale. The talented pass catcher has snagged 43 receptions for 679 yards and four touchdowns this year. No other BYU receiver has more scores.
Top Colorado Players Not Playing in Alamo Bowl
Thanks to the CFN Bowl Game Opt-Out Tracker, we know which players from the Buffaloes won’t be in action in the Alamo Bowl.
- Trevor Woods, S, Colorado (transfer portal)
- Nikhai Hill-Green, LB, Colorado (transfer portal)
- Ethan Boyd, IOL, Colorado (transfer portal)
- Destin Wade, QB, Colorado (transfer portal)
- Tyler Johnson, IOL, Colorado (transfer portal)
- Dayon Hayes, Edge, Colorado (transfer portal)
- Cordale Russell, WR, Colorado (transfer portal)
- Jeremiah Brown, LB, Colorado (transfer portal)
- Asaad Waseem, WR, Colorado (transfer portal)
- Adonis Forrest Jr., S, Colorado (transfer portal)
- Yakiri Walker, IOL, Colorado (transfer portal)
- Payton Kirkland, IOL, Colorado (transfer portal)
- Jordan Onovughe, WR, Colorado (transfer portal)
- Morgan Pearson, LB, Colorado (transfer portal)
- Rayyan Buell, DL, Colorado (transfer portal)
- Walter Taylor III, QB, Colorado (transfer portal)
- Johnny Chaney Jr., LB, Colorado (transfer portal)
The Colorado program under Deion Sanders is such that it won’t be a surprise to hear that there are more than two handfuls of Buffaloes players not playing in the Alamo Bowl. There are over 15 student-athletes from the 2024 Colorado roster in the transfer portal, none featuring on the most recent depth chart issued by the team.
MORE: 2025 NFL Draft Underclassmen Tracker
The most notable of those is linebacker Hill-Green, who finished the regular season with the second most tackles for the Buffaloes. He also tied the team lead with 12 tackles for loss. The true story of the Alamo Bowl for Colorado, however, is how many of their star players are set to play in the game.
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