The most surprising ACC champions, the Duke Blue Devils, will be heading to the Sun Bowl in El Paso, Texas, to take on the Arizona State Sun Devils. Because they were not anywhere near the top 25, Duke failed to get to the College Football Playoffs despite being the ACC champions, while Arizona State has plenty to prove as it also missed the postseason tournament.
Both teams are expected to have some players missing during this game; however, some of them are injured or opting out due to declaring for either the transfer portal or the NFL draft, as well as a plethora of other reasons. That being said, both teams want to prove they belong in this prestigious bowl game, which is considered the second-oldest after the Rose Bowl.
Sun Bowl: Duke vs. Arizona State Opt-Outs And Injury Report
Arizona State Sun Devils
- QB Sam Leavitt: Opted Out, transfer portal, also injured and out for the season
- LT Josh Atkins: Opted Out, transfer portal
- CB Javan Robinson: Opted Out, transfer portal
- LB Tate Romney: Opted Out, transfer portal
- WR Jordyn Tyson: Opted Out
- DB Xavion Alford: Opted Out
- CB Keith Abney II: Opted Out
- RB Raleek Brown: Opted Out
- RT Max Iheanachor: Opted Out
- LB Keyshaun Elliott: Opted Out
- TE Chamon Metayer: Opted Out
- CB Rodney Bimage Jr. Injured, questionable
- OL Ben Coleman: Injured, season over
- DE Clayton Smith: Injured, season over
Arizona State has one big glaring opt-out, and that is starting quarterback Sam Leavitt, who has guided the Sun Devils to a great record of 8-4. Jeff Sims would start the Sun Bowl in this battle of the Devils, with head coach Kenny Dillingham announcing that even those players who have declared for the transfer portal still being allowed to play if they want to.
Duke Blue Devils
- RT Brian Parker II
- CB Chandler Rivers
- DE Vincent Anthony Jr.
- CB Kimari Robinson: Injured, questionable
- DE Bryce Davis Injured, questionable
- S Terry Moore: Injured, season over, entering NFL draft
The biggest name to miss the Sun Bowl is starting right tackle Brian Parker II, with Manny Diaz expecting players considering entering the draft, such as starting QB Darian Mensah, as well as DE Wesley Williams, who has already declared for the draft, to be playing in this “Battle of the Devils.”
Related:
Bryce Underwood Transfer Portal Update: Top 3 Destinations for Michigan’s Five-Star Freshman
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