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 reach the College Football Playoff despite being the ACC champions, while Arizona State has plenty to prove after also missing the postseason tournament.
Both teams are expected to be without players for various reasons, including injuries and opt-outs. 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 glaring opt-out, and that is starting quarterback Sam Leavitt, who has guided the Sun Devils to an 8-4 record. Jeff Sims will 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 will still be 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. Duke coach Manny Diaz expects players who are considering entering the draft, such as starting QB Darian Mensah, and DE Wesley Williams, who has already declared for the draft, to play.
Related:
Bryce Underwood Transfer Portal Update: Top 3 Destinations for Michigan’s Five-Star Freshman
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