The Iowa Hawkeyes and Missouri Tigers cap off their 2024 campaign with a matchup in the TransPerfect Music City Bowl that hasn’t been seen since 2010 and only once in the last 100 years.
Between injuries, transfer portal entrants, and NFL Draft declarations, there will be several Iowa and Missouri players not playing in the Music City Bowl.
Top Iowa Players Not Playing in Music City Bowl
Thanks to the CFN Bowl Game Opt-Out Tracker, we know which players from the Hawkeyes won’t be in action in the Music City Bowl.
- Kaleb Johnson, RB, Iowa (opt-out)
- Jermari Harris, CB, Iowa (opt-out)
- Grant Glausser, RB, Iowa (transfer portal)
- Reese Osgood, WR, Iowa (transfer portal)
- Tripp Woody, K, Iowa (transfer portal)
- Graham Friedrichsen, WR, Iowa (transfer portal)
- Caden Crawford, DL, Iowa (transfer portal)
- Marco Lainez III, QB, Iowa (transfer portal)
- Johnny Pascuzzi, TE, Iowa (transfer portal)
- James Resar, QB, Iowa (transfer portal)
- Grant Leeper, TE, Iowa (transfer portal)
- Rusty Vanwetzinga, FB, Iowa (transfer portal)
- Cade McNamara, QB, Iowa (transfer portal)
- Jeffrey Bowie, DL, Iowa (transfer portal)
- Kaleb Brown, WR, Iowa (transfer portal)
- Leshon Williams, RB, Iowa (transfer portal)
Transfer portal entries have ravaged an 8-4 Hawkeyes team. However, the list of players not playing in the Music City Bowl is headlined by a standout who is swapping Iowa for the NFL, not for another college team. Running back Johnson will miss the game after opting out following his 2025 NFL Draft declaration.
Johnson was the Hawkeyes’ offense in 2024. The talented running back rushed for a Big Ten-high 1,537 yards with 23 total touchdowns this season. Quarterback McNamara is also in the portal, but Brendan Sullivan is expected to return under center in the Music City Bowl.
Top Missouri Players Not Playing in Music City Bowl
Thanks to the CFN Bowl Game Opt-Out Tracker, we know which players from the Tigers won’t be in action in the Music City Bowl.
- Luther Burden III, WR, Missouri (NFL Draft)
- Armand Mambo, OT, Missouri (NFL Draft)
- Chuck Hicks, LB, Missouri (opt-out)
- Brett Norfleet, TE, Missouri (surgery)
- Connor Tollison, OL, Missouri (season-ending injury)
- Courtney Crutchfield, WR, Missouri (transfer portal)
- Kewan Lacy, RB, Missouri (transfer portal)
- Aidan Glover, QB, Missouri (transfer portal)
- Jaylen Brown, Edge, Missouri (transfer portal)
- Jack McGarry, IOL, Missouri (transfer portal)
- Williams Nwaneri, Edge, Missouri (transfer portal)
- Phillip Roche, S, Missouri (transfer portal)
- Will Safris, P, Missouri (transfer portal)
- Mekhi Miller, WR, Missouri (transfer portal)
- Brayshawn Littlejohn, LB, Missouri (transfer portal)
- Brody Boehm, K, Missouri (transfer portal)
- Jack Kautz, LS, Missouri (transfer portal)
- Orion Phillips, P, Missouri (transfer portal)
- Boyton Cheney, CB, Missouri (transfer portal)
There are various reasons for Missouri players not playing in the Music City Bowl, led by wide receiver Burden declaring for the 2025 NFL Draft. He wasn’t a statistical standout in his final season with the Tigers, but the program loses a dynamic offensive presence for their bowl matchup with Iowa.
MORE: 2025 NFL Draft Underclassmen Tracker
The Tigers’ offensive line is particularly hard hit ahead of their postseason hurrah. Starting offensive tackle Membo is declaring for the draft, and starting center Tollison is out for the season after missing the final games of the year with an injury. Injured tight end Norfleet was a CFN freshman all-American a year ago and is another substantial absence for Missouri.
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