The Pop-Tarts Bowl brings one of the best trophies in the sport to the stage on Thursday. However, the NC State Wolfpack and Kansas State Wildcats may not be bringing their top talent to the game with a slew of players already set to transfer. Who will be missing from action in this anticipated matchup?
Top NC State, Kansas State Players Not Playing the Pop-Tarts Bowl
Thanks to the College Football Network Bowl Game Opt-Out Tracker, we know just who is set to sit out the contest between NC State and Kansas State easily enough.
For the full game preview and prediction: Pop-Tarts Bowl Prediction: NC State vs. Kansas State Odds, Spread, DFS Picks, and More
NC State Players To Miss the Pop-Tarts Bowl
The Wolfpack have been hit incredibly hard by the portal. With 19 total players hitting the portal following the season, the question arises around which players were marquee players, if any, that have left the program.
Unfortunately for NC State fans, the losses may make this team look like a different unit than what they saw in 2023. Backup/starting QB MJ Morris is gone and Michael Allen — third on the team’s RB depth chart — is out from the backfield.
Porter Rooks, Anthony Smith, and Terrell Timmons Jr. have departed from the wide receiver room while the depth of the pass-catching units may be tested in this game. Lyndon Cooper played three positions on the interior of the offensive line, presenting another depth issue on the offensive line as well.
Starting defensive tackle C.J. Clark is out on defense, manufacturing a massive gap on the inside. A handful of defensive backs who played seldom in 2023 are in the portal, and a lot will be presented on the starting 10 that return for the action to compete with Kansas State’s offensive attack.
- MJ Morris, QB (transfer portal)
- Michael Allen, RB (transfer portal)
- Jordan Houston, RB (transfer portal)
- Porter Rooks, WR (transfer portal)
- Anthony Smith, WR (transfer portal)
- Chris Toudle, WR (transfer portal)
- Terrell Timmons Jr., WR (transfer portal)
- Joshua Crabtree, WR (transfer portal)
- Cedd Seabrough, TE (transfer portal)
- Fredrick Seabrough, TE (transfer portal)
- Jaleel Davis, OT (transfer portal)
- Lyndon Cooper, OL (transfer portal)
- C.J. Clark, DL (transfer portal)
- Torren Wright, LB (transfer portal)
- Daejuan Thompson, LB (transfer portal)
- Nate Evans, CB (transfer portal)
- Cecil Powell, S (transfer portal)
- Darius Edmundson, S (transfer portal)
- Jakeen Harris, S (transfer portal)
Kansas State Players To Miss the Pop-Tarts Bowl
True freshman Avery Johnson will be counted on to lead the Kansas State offense as Will Howard is arguably one of the biggest — and still available — athletes to hit the portal this year. As Howard is still mulling his decision in the portal, Johnson is the future of the program for the Wildcats and will make his second start for Kansas State.
Treshaun Ward will also be missing from the Kansas State offense. The former Florida State transfer has hit the portal for the second consecutive season after rushing for over 640 yards and six scores this year in Manhattan. The biggest loss at wide receiver is RJ Garcia, who caught 14 passes in 2023.
On defense, the Kansas State secondary will be in a pinch with Will Lee III and Kobe Savage already on new rosters for the 2024 season. Lee played all over the backend and sometimes at linebacker for the Wildcats while Savage recorded three picks and was integral in their success on defense.
Nate Matlack was unblockable at times for the Wildcats and will force the depth at defensive end to be tested.
- Will Howard, QB (transfer portal)
- Jake Rubley, QB (transfer portal)
- Adryan Lara, QB (transfer portal)
- Treshaun Ward, RB (transfer portal)
- Anthony Frias, RB (transfer portal)
- Christian Moore, RB (transfer portal)
- Trey Engram, RB (transfer portal)
- Wesley Watson, WR (transfer portal)
- Xavier Loyd, WR (transfer portal)
- RJ Garcia II, WR (transfer portal)
- Nate Matlack, EDGE (transfer portal)
- Collin Dunn, LB (transfer portal)
- Jordan Perry, LB (transfer portal)
- Jordan Wright, CB (transfer portal)
- Will Lee III, CB (transfer portal)
- Kobe Savage, S (transfer portal)
Miss any action from the top college QB Rankings during the 2023 football season? Want to track all the movement with the college football’s transfer portal? College Football Network has you covered with that and more!