The Independence Bowl was set to be a showdown between the Sun Belt and AAC champions. However, after transfer portal departures ravaged the Marshall Thundering Herd, the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs were drafted in to face the Army Black Knights in Shreveport.
Between injuries, transfer portal entrants, and NFL Draft declarations, there will be still be several Louisiana Tech and Army players not playing in the Independence Bowl.
Top Louisiana Tech Players Not Playing in Independence Bowl
Thanks to the CFN Bowl Game Opt-Out Tracker, we know which players from the Bulldogs won’t be in action in the Independence Bowl.
- Buck Buchanan, K, Louisiana Tech (transfer portal)
- Donerio Davenport, RB, Louisiana Tech (transfer portal)
- Pig Cage, S, Louisiana Tech (transfer portal)
- Kells Bush, DL, Louisiana Tech (transfer portal)
- Charlie Robinson, EDGE, Louisiana Tech (transfer portal)
- Obinna Okeke, EDGE, Louisiana Tech (transfer portal)
- Adam Lamar, DL, Louisiana Tech (transfer portal)
- John Locke, TE, Louisiana Tech (transfer portal)
- David Blay, DL, Louisiana Tech (transfer portal)
- Luke Wisham, S, Louisiana Tech (transfer portal)
- BJ Blake, S, Louisiana Tech (transfer portal)
- Hunter Tipton, TE, Louisiana Tech (transfer portal)
- Jordon Myles, CB, Louisiana Tech (transfer portal)
- J’Dan Burnett, DL, Louisiana Tech (transfer portal)
- Jalen McGaughy, WR, Louisiana Tech (transfer portal)
- Jayden Gray, EDGE, Louisiana Tech (transfer portal)
Ironically, Marshall is replaced in the Independence Bowl by a Louisiana Tech team with a ton of talent in the transfer portal. They’ve also had multiple players enter since they accepted the opportunity to face Army. The Bulldogs have 19 players looking for a new home, with many of them among the players not playing in the Independence Bowl this Saturday evening.
Some have opted to remain with the team for this final game of the 2024 season. Quarterback Jack Turner, who appeared in seven games this fall, remains on the depth chart for this game. Meanwhile, it is unclear whether wide receiver Tru Edwards will or won’t play after entering the portal on Christmas Eve. The star WR snagged a CUSA-high 76 receptions for 894 yards this fall.
Top Army Players Not Playing in Independence Bowl
Thanks to the CFN Bowl Game Opt-Out Tracker, we know which players from the Black Knights won’t be in action in the Independence Bowl.
- Caleb Moran, LB, Army (transfer portal)
- Kanye Udoh, RB, Army (transfer portal)
- Jack Kayser, RB, Army (transfer portal)
Service academies like Army have been relatively immune to transfer portal attrition due to the unique nature of their programs. However, there are currently three Black Knights who have opted for a different environment moving forward, and none of those feature on the team-issued depth chart for the finale of what has been an incredible season for the program.
MORE: 2025 NFL Draft Underclassmen Tracker
Army players not playing in the Independence Bowl are headlined by running back Udoh. The physical rusher tallied 1,117 yards and 10 touchdowns while averaging 6.2 yards per pop in 2024. He’ll suit up for the Arizona State Sun Devils in the Big 12 next fall.
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