ReliaQuest recently started sponsoring a game during bowl season and will take over the game formerly known as the Outback Bowl. Featuring one of the top teams in the SEC, the LSU Tigers, and a surging Wisconsin Badgers team from the Big Ten, the game will surely have talented players.
However, both teams will be missing several players. Here are the top players from LSU and Wisconsin who will not play in this year’s ReliaQuest Bowl.
Top Wisconsin and LSU Players Not Playing in the ReliaQuest Bowl
Thanks to the College Football Network Bowl Game Opt-Out Tracker, we know just who is set to sit out the contest between Wisconsin and LSU.
For the full game preview and prediction: ReliaQuest Bowl Prediction: Wisconsin vs. LSU Odds, Spread, DFS Picks, and More.
Wisconsin Players To Miss the ReliaQuest Bowl
Wisconsin head coach Luke Fickell held the team together in his first year at the helm, as the Badgers won five conference games to get to a respectable 7-5 record. Offensively, the Badgers are hit hardest at the wide receiver position, which Chimere Dike and Skyler Bell will miss the game after declaring for the transfer portal.
Elsewhere on offense, the Badgers are missing swing tackle Trey Wedig but are largely unaffected by the transfer portal. However, the big missing pieces are running back Braelon Allen and center Tanor Bortolini, who opted out to prepare for the NFL Draft.
MORE: Top Ten Transfer Portal Departures From the Big Ten
After some early-season injuries, the Badgers could be thin at the skill positions.
Defensively, the Badgers lost interior lineman Rodas Johnson and linebacker Jordan Turner, both starters to the portal. Starting corner Jason Maitre has also opted out.
- Braelon Allen, RB (opt-out, NFL Draft)
- Tanor Bortolini, C (opt-out, NFL Draft)
- Keane Bessert, LS (transfer portal)
- Trey Wedig, OT (transfer portal)
- Jordan Mayer, EDGE (transfer portal)
- Amaun Williams, CB (transfer portal)
- Skyler Bell, WR (transfer portal)
- Chimere Dike, WR (transfer portal)
- Dylan Barrett, OL (transfer portal)
- Myles Burkett, QB (transfer portal)
- Keontez Lewis, WR (transfer portal)
- Markus Allen, WR (transfer portal)
- Jordan Turner, LB (transfer portal)
- Rodas Johnson, DL (transfer portal)
- Darrian Varner, DL (transfer portal)
LSU Players To Miss the ReliaQuest Bowl
The headliner for the Tigers is Heisman Trophy winner Jayden Daniels, who opted to forego the ReliaQuest Bowl to focus on the NFL Draft. Daniels is worth more points on the spread than just about any other player in the country, and the line moved accordingly when he announced his early departure.
Outside of Daniels, the LSU offense is largely unaffected by opt-outs. Interior lineman Marlon Martinez is the only other offensive player who played significant snaps to opt out of the game. Still, he only registered 75 snaps at center, left, and right guard.
MORE: 2024 Transfer Portal Team Rankings
Although neither player has announced their intentions either way, it would be wise to pay attention to the lead-up to the game for news about receivers Malik Nabers and Brian Thomas. Head coach Brian Kelly mentioned that he expects both players to play, but each is expected to go very early in the NFL Draft and it would not be surprising if either opted out.
Defensively, the Tigers are also in great shape. Corner Laterrance Welch played 96 snaps this season and has entered the transfer portal. Most of the defense seems to be intact. Starting defensive back Sage Ryan is one to watch, as he reportedly entered the transfer portal on Dec. 14 before announcing his intention to return on Dec. 19.
As far as we know, Ryan should play.
- Jayden Daniels, QB (opt-out, NFL Draft)
- Marlon Martinez, OL (transfer portal)
- Quency Wiggins, DL (transfer portal)
- Jackson McGohan, TE (transfer portal)
- Tavion Faulk, QB (transfer portal)
- Laterrance Welch, CB (transfer portal)
- Tre Bradford, RB (transfer portal)
- Armoni Goodwin, RB (transfer portal)
- Bryce Langston, DT (transfer portal)
- Corren Norman, RB (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!