Perhaps we should rename the 2024 Texas Bowl the Dave Aranda Bowl, as the former LSU Tigers defensive coordinator faces his previous team as the head coach of the Baylor Bears. Both teams are searching for a ninth win in the 2024 college football season.
However, between injuries, transfer portal entrants, and NFL Draft declarations, there will be several Baylor and LSU players not playing in the Texas Bowl.
Top Baylor Players Not Playing in Texas Bowl
Thanks to the CFN Bowl Game Opt-Out Tracker, we know which players from the Bears won’t be in action in the Texas Bowl.
- Dequan Finn, QB (transfer portal)
- Carmello Jones, EDGE (transfer portal)
- Kaian Roberts-Day, EDGE (transfer portal)
The story for Baylor isn’t the players not playing in the Texas Bowl, but more who are. They have a number of players in the transfer portal, but many intend to play for the Bears on Tuesday afternoon. Perhaps most importantly, starting offensive tackle Alvin Ebosele is listed on the depth chart for Aranda’s team ahead of the Texas Bowl clash with LSU.
Among those players not playing in the Texas Bowl, backup quarterback Finn was unable to unseat starter Sawyer Robertson this fall, appearing in just three games and making just 43 pass attempts. Defensive linemen Jones and Roberts-Day combined for just two tackles for loss all season. Baylor is at about as full strength as a non-playoff team gets in bowl season.
Top LSU Players Not Playing in Texas Bowl
Thanks to the CFN Bowl Game Opt-Out Tracker, we know which players from the Tigers won’t be in action in the Texas Bowl.
- Will Campbell, OT (NFL Draft)
- Emery Jones, OT (NFL Draft)
- Mason Taylor, TE (NFL Draft)
- Kyren Lacy, WR (opt-out)
- Major Burns, S (opt-out)
- AJ Swann, QB (transfer portal)
- Sage Ryan, S (transfer portal)
- Jay’viar Suggs, DL (transfer portal)
- Ka’Morreun Pimpton, TE (transfer portal)
- JK Johnson, CB (transfer portal)
- Nathan Dibert, K (transfer portal)
- Jordan Allen, S (transfer portal)
- Da’Shawn Womack, EDGE (transfer portal)
- Xavier Atkins, LB (transfer portal)
- Bernard Causey III, CB (transfer portal)
- Kylin Jackson, S (transfer portal)
- Shelton Sampson Jr., WR (transfer portal)
- CJ Daniels, WR (transfer portal)
- Landon Ibieta, WR (transfer portal)
- Rickie Collins, QB (transfer portal)
By contrast, LSU is absolutely ravaged heading into the Texas Bowl. The return of quarterback Garrett Nussmeier for 2025 was great news, and he’s expected to play as he goes in search of a 4,000-yard season. However, he’ll be playing behind an offensive line with starting tackles Campbell and Jones, who both declared for the NFL Draft alongside star tight end Taylor.
MORE: 2025 NFL Draft Underclassmen Tracker
The Tigers currently have 15 players in the transfer portal, including backup quarterback Swann, and without a team-issued depth chart ahead of their matchup with Baylor, it is to be assumed that all of those entrants will be among the players not playing in the Texas Bowl.
College Football Network has you covered with the latest from the ACC, Big Ten, Big 12, SEC, and every Group of Five conference and FBS Independent program.
