The Notre Dame Fighting Irish and Penn State Nittany Lions meet in the Orange Bowl, with a place in the College Football National Championship Game on the line for the two storied programs.
However, between injuries, transfer portal entrants, and NFL Draft declarations, there could be several Notre Dame and Penn State players not playing in the Orange Bowl.
Top Penn State Players Not Playing in Orange Bowl
Thanks to the CFN Bowl Game Opt-Out Tracker, we know which players from the Nittany Lions might not be in action in the Orange Bowl.
- Abdul Carter, EDGE, Penn State (game-time decision with injury)
- Jake Spencer, WR, Penn State (questionable with injury)
- Sander Sahaydak, K, Penn State (questionable with injury)
- Joey Schlaffer, TE, Penn State (questionable with injury)
- Tyseer Denmark, WR, Penn State (questionable with injury)
- Andrew Rappleyea, TE, Penn State (injury)
- Kaden Saunders, WR, Penn State (injury)
- Cam Wallace, RB, Penn State (injury)
- Alonzo Ford Jr., DL, Penn State (injury)
- Anthony Donkoh, OL, Penn State (injury)
- Zuriah Fisher, DE, Penn State (injury)
- Jaxon Smolik, QB, Penn State (injury)
- Ethan Black, WR, Penn State (injury)
- Kevin Winston Jr., S, Penn State (injury)
- Peter Gonzalez, WR, Penn State (injury)
- Jason Estrella, WR, Penn State (transfer portal)
- Beau Pribula, QB, Penn State (transfer portal)
- Jerry Cross, TE, Penn State (transfer portal)
- T.A. Cunningham, DL, Penn State (transfer portal)
- Feyisayo Oluleye, WR, Penn State (transfer portal)
There is one significant name on the list of players not playing in the Orange Bowl, and Penn State will hope that he’s not still there come Thursday night. Star pass rusher Abdul Carter left the field during the Fiesta Bowl win over the Boise State Broncos, and head coach James Franklin was non-committal when asked by the media about the standout defensive end’s availability early in game week.
However, Franklin appeared more positive on Wednesday, telling reporters that he was expecting to have his star defensive end available. Despite this, he reiterated that Carter will be a game-time decision, while ESPN’s Pete Thamel reported just before kick-off that he’s expected to be around 80% and limited in his snap count.
Meanwhile, quarterback Pribula provides a case study for changes to the timing of the college football calendar. The Penn State backup saw time in 13 games this year, throwing five touchdowns and completing 74.3% of his passes when tasked with relieving starter Drew Allar. However, he entered the transfer portal and will miss the team’s playoff run as a result.
Top Notre Players Not Playing in Orange Bowl
Thanks to the CFN Bowl Game Opt-Out Tracker, we know which players from the Fighting Irish won’t be in action in the Orange Bowl.
- Cooper Flanagan, TE, Notre Dame (injury)
- Benjamin Morrison, CB, Notre Dame (injury)
- Boubacar Traore, DL, Notre Dame (injury)
- Charles Jagusah, OL, Notre Dame (injury)
- Aiden Gobaira, EDGE, Notre Dame (transfer portal)
- Tyson Ford, DL, Notre Dame (transfer portal)
- Jaden Mickey, CB, Notre Dame (transfer portal)
Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman talked about building a culture in the modern college football era during the build-up to the Sugar Bowl, and that’s well reflected in the list of players not playing in the Orange Bowl. There are just three Fighting Irish players in the transfer portal right now, fewer than any other team remaining in the College Football Playoff.
MORE: 2025 NFL Draft Underclassmen Tracker
Importantly for the Irish, there is just one additional player from last week unavailable due to injury. Tight end Flanagan will miss the rest of the season, but it could have been far worse for Notre Dame after standout defensive tackle Howard Cross III and award-winning safety Xavier Watts both went down with injuries in the win over the Georgia Bulldogs.
Running back Jeremiyah Love is “good-to-go,” Freeman told reporters on Wednesday morning. He will wear what has been described as “a bulky leg brace” and is expected to be around 75-80%, according to a sideline report ahead of the game.
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.