Thor Nystrom tracks players opting out of upcoming bowl games as well as the coaching changes around the college football landscape. Thor will update the article through the remainder of the season to keep you updated on bowl games, college prospects, and the 2023 NFL Draft.
And below we’ll take a closer look at the upcoming bowl game.
Check out Thor’s projections for all college football bowl games
Cheez-It Bowl: College Football News, Player Opt-Out Tracker & Game Preview (Florida State vs. Oklahoma)
- Thursday, December 29 | 4:30 PM
- Florida State (-9) vs. Oklahoma | Total: 65.5
- ATL: FSU -12.9 | ATT: 67
Oklahoma
- QB Nick Evers (Transfer portal)
- RB Eric Gray (Opt-out)
- WR Theo Wease (Transfer portal)
- WR Trevon West (Transfer portal)
- TE Daniel Parker Jr. (Suspension)
- OT Wanya Morris (Opt-out)
- OT Anton Harrison (Opt-out)
- DT Jalen Redmond (Opt-out)
- LB Clayton Smith (Transfer portal)
- LB Shane Whitter (Injury)
- CB Joshua Eaton (Transfer portal)
- CB Kendall Dennis (Transfer portal)
RB Gray was the Sooners’ bellcow running back. He was one of the best backs in America this year. Gray’s 90.6 PFF grade was elite territory. The platoon of RBs Jovantae Barnes and Marcus Major is a huge downgrade.
Speaking of huge downgrades, OT Harrison and OT Morris, the team’s starting tackles, are also out the door. Each were solidly above-average Power 5 starters. It’s fair to be concerned about Oklahoma’s fill-in offensive line without them.
WR Wease had 19 catches. TE Parker Jr., a half-timer, is on an indefinite suspension. DT Redmond led the team in snaps among interior defensive linemen during the regular season – but he’s more a worker bee than a star.
LB Whittier, a little-used backup, is out for the season with a shoulder injury. CBs Eaton and Dennis also didn’t see the field much in the fall.
Florida State
- WR Winston Wright Jr. (Injury)
- WR Darion Williamson (Injury)
- OT Lloyd Willis (Transfer portal)
- DT Shambre Jackson (Transfer portal)
- EDGE George Wilson Jr. (Transfer portal)
- LB Stephen Dix Jr. (Injury)
- CB Sam McCall (Transfer portal)
FSU QB Jordan Travis announced he will return next season. In addition to Travis, EDGE Jared Verse and S Jammie Robinson announced they would play in the bowl game. The upshot for the rest of the list: Very, very little useable pieces from the fall will be inactive for the bowl.
WR Wright Jr. missed the season with a leg injury suffered in a car accident. Wright will not play in this game, but he’s already announced he will return to school next year. WR Williamson was knocked out for the season in September. OT Willis was a little-used backup. LB Dix Jr. is out for the year with a shoulder injury. DT Jackson and EDGE Wilson Jr. scarcely saw the field.
WR Keyshawn Helton, LB Amari Gainer, and LB/S Sydney Williams – a trio of reserves – are all in the transfer portal but are still practicing with FSU and have said they intend to play. All played 80 or less snaps this fall.
Whether you’re new to fantasy football or a seasoned pro, our Fantasy Football 101: Strategy Tips & Advice page is for you. You can start with our Beginner’s Guide to Daily Fantasy Football or head to a more advanced strategy — like A Guide to Orchestrating Early Season Trades — to learn more.
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts | Stitcher | SoundCloud | iHeartRadio