Once a regular fixture on the college football calendar, the North Texas Mean Green and Texas State Bobcats meet for the first time in 30 years in the SERVPRO First Responder Bowl, giving us a Friday Night Lights-esque matchup in the late Dallas afternoon.
Between injuries, transfer portal entrants, and NFL Draft declarations, there will be several North Texas and Texas State players not playing in the First Responder Bowl.
Top North Texas Players Not Playing in First Responder Bowl
Thanks to the CFN Bowl Game Opt-Out Tracker, we know which players from the Mean Green won’t be in action in the First Responder Bowl.
- Leke Asenuga, iOL (transfer portal/injury)
- Dallas Dudley, WR (transfer portal)
- Ikaika Ragsdale, RB (transfer portal)
- Jayven Anderson, S (transfer portal)
- Luke Carter, TE (transfer portal)
- Keith Smith Jr., DL (transfer portal)
- Hudson Emeterio, LB (transfer portal)
- Kerry Williams II, CB (transfer portal)
- Juwaun Price, RB (transfer portal)
- Tyler Mercer, IOL (transfer portal)
- DT Sheffield, WR (transfer portal)
- Oscar Hammond, TE (transfer portal)
- Chandler Morris, QB (transfer portal)
- Gabe Blair, IOL (transfer portal)
- Jeremiah Aaron, WR (transfer portal)
- Kortlin Rausaw, EDGE (transfer portal)
- David Spruiells, S (transfer portal)
Over 20 North Texas student-athletes entered the transfer portal, so it’s unsurprising that the list of players not playing in the First Responder Bowl is extensive. That said, several of those remain with the Mean Green for their season finale, including running back Shane Porter, who tallied 643 yards this season, and quarterback Cash McCollum, who will be the backup on Friday.
That’s because starting quarterback Morris won’t suit up for North Texas in the First Responder Bowl. He led the AAC in multiple statistical categories this year, including passing yards (3,774) and touchdowns (31). WR Sheffield led the conference in receiving touchdowns but won’t be available for true freshman QB Drew Mestemaker, who will get the start for the Mean Green.
Top Texas State Players Not Playing in First Responder Bowl
Thanks to the CFN Bowl Game Opt-Out Tracker, we know which players from the Bobcats won’t be in action in the First Responder Bowl.
- Daniel Meunier, LS (transfer portal)
- David Conner, OT (transfer portal)
- JeCareon Lathan, S (transfer portal)
- Max Harris, LB (transfer portal)
- Kole Wilson, WR (transfer portal)
- Ben Bell, Edge (transfer portal)
- Jimeto Obigbo, OT (transfer portal)
- Dominique Ratcliff, DL (transfer portal)
- Alex Harkey, OT (transfer portal)
- Brendan Franke, K (transfer portal)
- PJ Hatter, QB (transfer portal)
- Ismail Mahdi, RB (transfer portal)
- RJ Martinez, QB (transfer portal)
- Joshua Eaton, CB (transfer portal)
There’s also a large number of Bobcats in the transfer portal, the majority of which feature among the players not playing in the First Responder Bowl. Quarterback Jordan McCloud is currently not on that list, but he’s also not expected to feature extensively for Texas State on Friday afternoon.
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The most significant loss for the Bobcats is running back (and do-it-all weapon) Mahdi, who led the team with 1,186 scrimmage yards this fall. Defensive end Bell hasn’t played since earlier in the season when he opted out of the season to preserve a year of eligibility, but he still ranks third on the team for tackles for loss despite only playing four games.
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