Ever since the advent of the College Football Playoff, and certainly the new NCAA transfer portal, with players being able to take their own career and future in hand, the modern era is replete with stars at major programs who have elected to sit out of their team's bowl games at season's end.
Players have decided to sit out of their postseason games for a variety of reasons, whether to prepare for next year, or more often to prevent needless injury as they prepare for the NFL Draft. Which stars are choosing to skip their bowl games this season? Here's what you need to know as the matchups kick off.
College football stars skipping bowl games in 2023-24
This will be updated
Caleb Williams. The USC quarterback decided to sit out the Holiday Bowl against Louisville, not a surprise given he's expected to be one of the top overall picks in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Drake Maye. Likewise for the North Carolina quarterback, especially as many analytics are predicting he could be the No. 1 overall selection this spring.
Chop Robinson. Another possible first-round NFL Draft pick, as the Penn State edge rusher earned first-team All-Big Ten honors this season after recording 4 sacks and 5 hurries.
Johnny Wilson. A possible Day 2 wide receiver out of Florida State is electing to skip the Orange Bowl after posting 102 catches for 1,757 yards and 8 touchdowns in his career.
Sam Hartman. A transfer from Wake to Notre Dame this season, the quarterback is the ACC's record-holder in touchdown passes and finishes with 15,656 career passing yards.
Joe Alt. Arguably the top overall offensive tackle prospect in this year's NFL Draft, the choice by the Notre Dame edge blocker to skip bowl season is not surprising.
Tez Walker. The wide receiver fought the NCAA just to be eligible to play this season, but now the former UNC pass catcher is set to prepare for the NFL Draft after scoring 7 times off 41 receptions.
Nate Wiggins: The Clemson defensive back will skip the Gator Bowl and is expected to be a first-round draft pick in 2024.
Laiatu Latu: The Lombardi Award winning UCLA edge rusher was defensive player of the Year in the Pac-12 and is projected to be at least a top-15 draft selection.
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