The Texas Longhorns and Ohio State Buckeyes clash in the Cotton Bowl this Friday, looking to book a berth in the College Football National Championship Game.
However, between injuries, transfer portal entrants, and NFL Draft declarations, there could be several Ohio State and Texas players not playing in the Cotton Bowl.
Top Ohio State Players Not Playing in Cotton Bowl
Thanks to the CFN Bowl Game Opt-Out Tracker, we know which players from the Buckeyes might not be in action in the Cotton Bowl.
- Seth McLaughlin, OL, Ohio State (injury)
- Josh Simmons, OL, Ohio State (injury)
- Zen Michalski, OT, Ohio State (injury/transfer portal)
- Reis Stocksdale, WR, Ohio State (injury)
- Rashid SeSay, RB, Ohio State (injury)
- Jace Middleton, TE, Ohio State (questionable with injury)
- Nolan Baudo, WR, Ohio State (questionable with injury)
- Jayden Bonsu, S, Ohio State (transfer portal)
- Air Noland, QB, Ohio State (transfer portal)
- Miles Walker, OT, Ohio State (transfer portal)
- Kojo Antwi, WR, Ohio State (transfer portal)
- Jayden Ballard, WR, Ohio State (transfer portal)
- Gabe Powers, LB, Ohio State (transfer portal)
There are very few new injury updates for the Buckeyes, with their players not playing in the Cotton Bowl having missed significant time this season. They’ve had to find a way to replace offensive line trio McLaughlin, Simmons, and Michalski for varying lengths of time this year, and the Ohio State line has been able to succeed despite the importance of their absence.
Meanwhile, Ohio State has several transfer portal entrants among their players not playing in the Cotton Bowl. However, most of those are low-level contributors, and backup quarterback Devin Brown remains with the team until the end of their playoff run despite having recently committed to the California Golden Bears.
Top Texas Players Not Playing in Cotton Bowl
Thanks to the CFN Bowl Game Opt-Out Tracker, we know which players from the Longhorns might not be in action in the Cotton Bowl.
- Velton Gardner, RB, Texas (injury)
- Derek Williams Jr., DB, Texas (injury)
- Christian Clark, RB, Texas (injury)
- Trey Owens, QB, Texas (injury)
- CJ Baxter, RB, Texas (injury)
- Sydir Mitchell, DL, Texas (transfer portal)
- Justice Finkley, EDGE, Texas (transfer portal)
- Jay’Vion Cole, CB, Texas (transfer portal)
- Tiaoalii Savea, DL, Texas (transfer portal)
- Aaron Bryant, DL, Texas (transfer portal)
- Derion Gullette, LB, Texas (transfer portal)
- Tausili Akana, EDGE, Texas (transfer portal)
- Jaray Bledsoe, DL, Texas (transfer portal)
- Johntay Cook II, WR, Texas (transfer portal)
Texas has a long list of potential players not playing in the Cotton Bowl, but Steve Sarkisian received some positive news on Thursday afternoon. Starting right tackle Cameron Williams, who had been listed as questionable after missing the Peach Bowl with a right knee strain, is “expected to return and start for the Longhorns” as per ESPN’s Pete Thamel.
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His opposite bookend, Kelvin Banks Jr., left the matchup with the Arizona State Sun Devils but is expected to play with no issues on Friday evening, Texas has a handful of transfer portal entrants among their players not playing in the Cotton Bowl. Like Ohio State, however, there isn’t much in the way of lost production for the Longhorns.
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