Much to the chagrin of their head coach, Lane Kiffin, the Ole Miss Rebels’ 9-3 finish in the 2024 college football season wasn’t enough to earn them a spot in the College Football Playoff. Instead, they’ll meet a 9-3 Duke Blue Devils team looking for its first 10-win season since 2013 in the TaxSlayer Gator Bowl.
Between injuries, transfer portal entrants, and NFL Draft declarations, there will be several Duke and Ole Miss players not playing in the Gator Bowl.
Top Duke Players Not Playing in Gator Bowl
Thanks to the CFN Bowl Game Opt-Out Tracker, we know which players from the Blue Devils won’t be in action in the Gator Bowl.
- Star Thomas, RB (transfer portal)
- Montreze Smith, LB (transfer portal)
- Grayson Loftis, QB (transfer portal)
- Maalik Murphy, QB (transfer portal)
- Carter Wyatt, LB (transfer portal)
The headliner from the list of Duke players not playing in the Gator Bowl is starting quarterback Murphy, who entered the transfer portal and committed to the Oregon State Beavers. The former Texas Longhorns QB threw for 2,933 yards and 26 touchdowns this fall but also led the ACC in interceptions. Henry Belvin IV will get the start on Thursday night.
Running back Thomas’ status is unclear right now. He entered the transfer portal after Christmas and is actively taking visits to other programs but remains on the team-issued depth chart for the Gator Bowl. He led the team with 871 rushing yards and seven touchdowns following his transfer from the New Mexico State Aggies for the 2024 college football campaign.
Top Ole Miss Players Not Playing in Gator Bowl
Thanks to the CFN Bowl Game Opt-Out Tracker, we know which players from the Rebels won’t be in action in the Gator Bowl.
- Tre Harris, WR (injury/NFL Draft)
- Henry Parrish Jr., RB (injury)
- Chris Paul Jr., LB (opt-out/NFL Draft)
- Micah Davis, WR (transfer portal)
- Louis Moore, S (transfer portal)
- Jadon Canady, CB (transfer portal)
- Preston Cushman, iOL (transfer portal)
- AJ Brown, CB (transfer portal)
- Matt Jones, RB (transfer portal)
- Trip White, S (transfer portal)
- Micah Pettus, OT (transfer portal)
- Rodney Groce Jr., LB (transfer portal)
- Jack Mills, IOL (transfer portal)
- Kavion Broussard, OT (transfer portal)
- Mana Taimani, OT (transfer portal)
- Cam East, iOL (transfer portal)
- Rashad Amos, RB (transfer portal)
- Walker Howard, QB (transfer portal)
- Key Lawrence, S (transfer portal)
Kiffin has established himself as the portal king in recent years, but as the list of players not playing in the Gator Bowl shows, he’ll have to replace plenty of departed players again this fall. Ole Miss hasn’t released a depth chart for this game and while they expect several transfer portal entrants to be available, their status is unclear ahead of the game.
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We do know that there are several high-profile Ole Miss players not playing in the Gator Bowl. WR Harris and RB Parrish missed time at the end of the year and are both out of the game. Linebacker Paul Jr. has declared for the 2025 NFL Draft and opted out of this matchup. However, starting QB Jaxson Dart will be in action on Thursday night, setting the tone for the program.
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