The Florida Gators are hoping to close out a strong finish to their 2024 season with a win over the Tulane Green Wave in the Gasparilla Bowl. Tulane will attempt to make amends for a disastrous showing in the AAC Championship Game opposite the Gators.
However, the list of players not playing in this game is long, but only one team may be at a severe disadvantage.
Top Tulane Players Not Playing in Gasparilla Bowl
Thanks to the CFN Bowl Game Opt-Out Tracker, we know which players from the Green Wave won’t be in action in the Gasparilla Bowl.
For Tulane, their losses are quite obvious. Three quarterbacks hit the portal almost immediately following the Green Wave’s loss to Army in the AAC Championship Game.
- Darian Mensah, QB (transfer portal)
- Kai Horton, QB (transfer portal)
- Shaadie Clayton-Johnson, RB (transfer portal)
- Trey Cornist, RB (transfer portal)
- Joshua Goines, TE (transfer portal)
- Parker Petersen, DL (transfer portal)
- Angelo Anderson, DL (transfer portal)
- Matthew Fobbs-White, EDGE (transfer portal)
However, even with Darian Mensah and Kai Horton in the portal and not playing, reports are such that QB Ty Thompson — who also entered the portal — will still play for Tulane against Florida.
Mensah has committed to Duke and Horton is still actively in the portal, so that leaves Thompson with one last showcase game to show teams he can be the starter for their program (or even end up staying at Tulane).
Elsewhere, the loss of Shaadie Clayton-Johnson may hurt the team’s depth at running back, but Makhi Hughes and Arnold Barnes III should be able to carry the load.
On defense, Fobbs-White contributed 21 total tackles this season, but the Green Wave should have plenty of depth off the edge to make up for it. Peterson and Anderson combined for 3.5 sacks, but Tulane’s depth up front is likely the reason for their transfer, and they should be able to give Florida plenty of different looks with their current personnel.
Top Florida Players Not Playing in Gasparilla Bowl
Thanks to the CFN Bowl Game Opt-Out Tracker, we know which players from the Gators won’t be in action in the Gasparilla Bowl.
Florida’s list is quite extensive, but the impact felt may not be as bad as the total count.
- Parker Leise, QB (transfer portal)
- Andy Jean, WR (transfer portal)
- Zak Sedaros, WR (transfer portal)
- Gavin Hill, TE (transfer portal)
- Arlis Boardingham, TE (transfer portal)
- Christian Williams, iOL (transfer portal)
- Mike Williams, iOL (transfer portal)
- Kelby Collins, DL (transfer portal)
- Andre Morris, DL (transfer portal)
- T.J. Searcy, EDGE (transfer portal)
- Jack Pyburn, EDGE (transfer portal)
- Quincy Ivory, EDGE (transfer portal)
- Bryce Capers, EDGE (transfer portal)
- Justus Boone, EDGE (transfer portal)
- Deuce Spurlock II, LB (transfer portal)
- Ja’Keem Jackson, CB (transfer portal)
- Adam Mihalek, K (transfer portal)
Short of Boardingham, the skill players from Florida who have entered the portal and will not be suiting up against Tulane did not record statistics or meaningful playing time this season for UF. Boardingham had 18 catches for 128 yards and a touchdown, but there is plenty of depth in the Gator tight end room to account for his loss.
Both Christian Williams and Mike Williams were role players and did not play significant time this year on the offensive line.
MORE: Tulane vs. Florida Prediction
On defense, when you see five players from one position group, it’s fair to say you may be worried. However, only Searcy, Pyburn, and Boone contributed in any major capacity. And yet, those three combined for 4.5 sacks and were playing behind a four-man rotation of Caleb Banks, Tyreak Sapp, Kamran James, and George Gumbs.
Elsewhere on defense, Collins played sparingly across six games, Jackson played in two, and the rest did not contribute this season.
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