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 
Music City Bowl: College Football News, Player Opt-Out Tracker & Game Preview (Iowa vs. Kentucky)
- Saturday, December 31 | 11:00 AM
- Iowa (-2) vs. Kentucky | Total: 31
- ATL: Iowa -6.0 | ATT: 26
Iowa
- QB Alex Padilla (Transfer portal)
- QB Spencer Petras (Injury)
- RB Gavin Williams (Transfer portal)
- WR Arland Bruce IV (Transfer portal)
- WR Keagan Johnson (Transfer portal)
- TE Sam LaPorta (Injury)
- OL Josh Volk (Transfer portal)
- LB Jestin Jacobs (Transfer portal)
- CB Cooper Dejean (Injury)
- CB Terry Roberts (Transfer portal)
- S Reggie Bracy (Transfer portal)
- S Kaevon Merriweather (Opt-out)
QB1 Petras has been shut down for the season with a shoulder injury. With QB2 Padilla also in the portal, Iowa will be down to QB3 Joey Labas, who has never attempted a pass. Labas will be backed up by QB4 Carson May.
WR Johnson transferred to Kansas State. LB Jacobs was a standout but got knocked out for the season with injury in September – he committed to Oregon. CB Roberts played starter snaps through four games but walked away to retain a redshirt in 2022.
But it hasn’t all been bad news for the Hawkeyes. Iowa HC Kirk Ferentz says CB Cooper DeJean and TE Sam LaPorta are expected to return from injuries to play against Kentucky. Both were first-team All-Big Ten performers in 2022. LaPorta was one of three John Mackey Award finalists.
In addition to LaPorta, Iowa has been given several indications from 2023 NFL Draft prospects that they will indeed play in this game: LB Jack Campbell, CB Riley Moss and LB Seth Benson.
S Merriweather, a two-star recruit who turned into a four-year contributor, was a standout starter and an all-American. He opted-out to prepare for the NFL Draft. He was No. 2 on the team with three interceptions during the regular season.
Kentucky
- QB Will Levis (Opt-out)
- RB Chris Rodriguez (Opt-out)
- RB Kavosiey Smoke (Transfer portal)
- RB Ramon Jefferson (Injury)
- WR Chris Lewis (Transfer portal/Injury)
- WR Chauncey Magwood (Transfer portal)
- WR DeMarcus Harris (Transfer portal)
- WR Tayvion Robinson (Injury)
- TE Keaton Upshaw (Transfer portal)
- OG John Young (Transfer portal)
- OT Kiyaunta Goodwin (Transfer portal)
- CB Carrington Valentine (Opt-out)
Kentucky will start either backup QB Kaiya Sheron or Destin Wade with QB Levis out the door to prepare for the NFL Draft. Some consider Levis a top-3 overall NFL Draft prospect. I do not – let’s return to that in the spring – but it’s indisputable that Kentucky will greatly miss him in this contest.
Wade has never started. Sheron went 15-of-27 for 178 yards and a 2/1 TD/INT rate in a 24-14 loss to South Carolina with Levis on the shelf in the fall. Earlier in December, some media members around the team expected Wade to start. The coaching staff won’t say, but is now forwarding the idea that Wade could be used in sub-packages, which might be a hunt that Sheron will make his second start of the season.
The Wildcats made a big splash at that position in the portal by signing QB Devin Leary. Kentucky was one of the Power 5’s most-aggressive portal teams in December
Kentucky’s methodical offense is going to miss RB Rodriguez – C-Rod was easily UK’s best offensive player. Despite being suspended for the first month of the season, Rodriguez finished with 904 rushing yards and six TD over the last eight games.
RB Smoke’s defection leaves the running back room very thin. RB Jefferson was knocked out for the season before it even started. RB Jutahn McClain (238 yards this season) will start. The Wildcats are praying McClain can handle bunches of touches without going down in this game.
WR Robinson was not UK’s most consistent receiver, but he was the team’s most dangerous after the catch. His status for this game is unclear due to an unknown injury. WRs Lewis, Magwood, and Harris, TE Upshaw, OG Young were all reserves. CB Valentine declared for the NFL Draft and opted-out of this game. Valentine, a two-year starter, was the team’s best cornerback.
Coaching News
Kentucky OC Rich Scangarello and RB coach/co-special teams coordinator John Settle were both fired after the regular season. The Wildcats tabbed associate HC and TE coach Vince Marrow as play-caller for the bowl. Marrow had a startling proclamation that he may come to regret: “We will score points.” To be fair, Marrow had some success as a play-caller in a 23-21 win over NC State in the 2020 Gator Bowl. Marrow mentioned that Eddie Gran will also aid in the play-calling preparation effort.
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