It is the season’s biggest game for the Michigan Wolverines and Washington Huskies as they compete in college football’s National Championship Game.
However, for some players, they will miss out on the opportunity to play for various reasons. Whether it is injury or the transfer portal, some players are missing out on the experience of a lifetime.
Top Washington, Michigan Players Not Playing the National Championship
Using the College Football Network Bowl Game Opt-Out Tracker, we know the players who won’t be playing in the National Championship Game.
Both teams should be able to field their starters, which makes for a tantalizing matchup of the last two undefeated teams in NRG Stadium on Monday night.
For the full game preview and prediction – College Football National Championship Prediction: Michigan vs. Washington Odds, Spread, DFS Picks, and More
Washington Players To Miss the National Championship
Washington will have almost all their starters available when they face Michigan to be crowned champions.
Of the names they have lost, the most significant is safety Vincent Nunley, who only played four games in 2023.
The Huskies will also be without backup QB Dylan Morris, who entered the transfer portal. Unless there is an injury, Morris was always unlikely to see the field anyway, and after an unbelievable performance against Texas in the Sugar Bowl, QB Michael Penix won’t be exiting the lineup. Morris will remain on the sidelines with the program but is in the portal.
The biggest potential miss for the Huskies is Dillon Johnson, who left the Sugar Bowl on their final offensive play, after re-aggravating a lower leg injury. Thankful an update on the running back is positive, and Johnson is expected to play in the National Championship Game.
Washington Players Expected To Miss the National Championship:
- Vincent Nunley, S (transfer portal)
- James Smith, CB (transfer portal)
- Dylan Morris, QB (transfer portal)
- Cameron Davis, RB (injury)
- Gaard Memmelaar, OL (injury)
- Giles Jackson, WR (redshirt)
Michigan Players To Miss the National Championship
While the core of starters remain available to the Wolverines, they will be without their star offensive lineman Zak Zinter again for the National Championship Game.
The interior line player suffered a significant leg break in Michigan’s victory over Ohio State that will see him sidelined for several months. Zinter suffered a broken tibia and fibula in his left leg, which required surgery.
Unfortunately for Michigan and Zinter, that was his last game in Maize and Blue. However, Zinter is expected to hear his name called during the 2024 NFL Draft.
Other than Zinter, the losses for Michigan have been minimal. The two players lost to the transfer portal only played minimal roles. Now, for Michigan, it is about finishing off what they believe they were destined to do: Win a national championship.
Michigan Players Expected To Miss the National Championship:
- CJ Stokes, RB (transfer portal)
- Leon Franklin, RB (transfer portal)
- Zak Zinter, OL (Injury)
- Karmello English, WR (Injury)
- Logan Forbes, WR (injury)
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!