NFL opt-outs, portal opens up chances for younger players

With players opting out of bowl games to begin preparation for the NFL Combine and the draft and others hitting the transfer portal, many of the teams in bowls outside the College Football Playoff and New Year’s Six games will be playing with different lineups.

But rather than lament about losing a few starters and some key backups, Clemson coach Dabo Swinney and Kentucky coach Mark Stoops said their departures only open up opportunities for freshmen — including those who have redshirted all season — and other underclassmen to prove themselves in the TaxSlayer Gator Bowl (Dec. 29, 12 p.m., ESPN).

Tiger time: Clemson to play in TaxSlayer Gator Bowl for the 10th time, vs. Kentucky

Clemson (8-4) and Kentucky (7-5) have held their last three meetings in bowl games, the last at the 2009 Music City Bowl, a 21-13 Clemson victory.

Gator Bowl becomes a prelude to 2024 season

Stoops and Swinney are realistic: draft-eligible players and those eager to test the portal waters are going to go more readily in bowl games on the Gator’s tier.

That makes the Gator Bowl somewhat of a prelude to spring practice and the spring game. Not that there’s anything wrong with that because the chance to play in a bowl game might catapult a player up the depth chart for next season.

Ray Davis of Kentucky scores one of his three touchdowns on Nov. 25 in the Wildcats’ 38-31 victory over Louisville.

“We’ve got some guys in the portal who won’t be there, but our team will be equally excited, and we’ll be ready to go,” Stoops said during a teleconference on Thursday. “You definitely want to see some of your younger guys … some young guys that maybe didn’t get on the field as much as they’d like in the fall. There’s certainly some talented players on both rosters.”

Dabo Swinney said there is still motivation to win

Swinney said that regardless of who goes…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/gator-bowl-job-opportunities-nfl-041145237.html

Author : The Florida Times-Union

Publish date : 2023-12-08 04:11:45

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