Bowl Game Opt-Outs a Probability For the Hokies

The Virginia Tech Hokies learned on Sunday that they'll be playing in the Duke's Mayo Bowl in Charlotte on January 3. Now it's time for bowl prep, and part of that prep is knowing who'll be dressing out.

Ever since Leonard Fournette (LSU) and Christian McCaffrey (Stanford) opted out of their bowl games in 2016, more and more players have made a similar decision. Tech, of course, has not been immune to that trend. In the coming weeks, we'll certainly hear about players who will choose not to play. There are a couple of reasons Hokie fans may not see familiar faces in the upcoming bowl game.

1. Risk of Injury

For some players, the risk of injury could impact their draft status or ability to prepare for the draft. On the offensive side of the ball, a few Hokies to keep an eye on who may fit in this category are running back Bhayshul Tuten and receivers Jaylin Lane and Da'Quan Felton. All three have accepted invitations to the Reese's Senior Bowl. Tuten, in particular, has battled injuries the last half of the season that he'd like to more fully heal from.

The Tech defense has a bit more potential exposure here. Defensive linemen Antwaun Powell-Ryland and Aeneas Peebles are a couple. Defensive backs Dorian Strong and Mansoor Delane are a couple more. Peebles and Strong also accepted Senior Bowl invitations. Powell-Ryland has exhausted his eligibility and has his sights on the draft. Delane, a junior, is not a top CB prospect but would certainly be drafted if he chose to go that route.

2. Portal Departures

The transfer portal officially opens on Monday, December 9, and announcements are already trickling out. With the NIL market as crazy as it is, look for a number of players to at least explore their value on the open market.

Those who do transfer don't normally stick around and play the bowl game, though it does happen from time to time. As players do seek "greener" pastures, their probability for the bowl game will certainly drop.

Coach Brent Pry has typically been pretty good at player retention, but you'd have to consider the following players as having at least an elevated risk: QB Kyron Drones, OL Xavier Chaplin, and perhaps even Delane.

The bowl game is only a few weeks away, and the portal is about to open as well, so it won't be long before we have a better feel for who'll be suiting up for the Hokies in the Duke's Mayo Bowl.