The 2024-25 college football bowl season is nearly upon us. It's one of the most exciting times during the sport, as bowl season brings us unique matchups between teams in various different locations.

But one aspect of bowl season that has become commonplace is star players sitting out of their teams' bowl games. What was once seen as somewhat controversial has now become the norm. Some players want to protect their respective NFL draft futures and don't want to risk an injury before those preparations begin. Others have entered the transfer portal, so they won't be suiting up with their old team.

Let's run through the notable players who have stated they are opting out of their bowl games so far. Thanks to the expanded 12-team playoff, this list is thinner than it usually is.

Transferring Quarterbacks

We have seen several big-name signal callers enter the portal so far. As a result, there are some big quarterbacks who won't be playing in their respective bowl games, since most of them are deciding where to play next.

Cal quarterback Fernando Mendoza entered the portal earlier this week, so he won't play in the Bears' bowl game against UNLV. USC quarterback Miller Moss entered the portal earlier this month, so he is out for the Trojans' Las Vegas Bowl. Oklahoma will be without outgoing quarterback Jackson Arnold, and Duke won't have starting quarterback Maalik Murphy, who is also in the portal.

Some guys that have already committed to their respective teams include Tulane's Darian Mensah, who is headed to Duke, and Texas A&M's Conner Weigman, who has verbally committed to Houston.

Top Offensive Players

As of this writing, there are just a few names to know so far.

The first is Missouri wide receiver Luther Burden III, who will not be suiting up for the Tigers' Music City Bowl against Iowa on Dec. 30. Burden is expected to be a big name in the upcoming 2025 NFL draft. Over his last three seasons with the Tigers, he's accounted for 2,263 yards with 21 touchdowns. Bleacher Report's Top 100 big board ranks Burden as the No. 14 overall prospect for 2025.

The second name to know, whose team is ironically playing Missouri, is Iowa running back Kaleb Johnson. Johnson, ranked as B/R's No. 4 overall running back for 2025, had the best season of his career in 2024, getting 1,537 yards rushing with 21 touchdowns on the year.

LSU offensive tackle Will Campbell, ranked No. 7 overall by B/R, has already indicated that he will not play in the Tigers' matchup with Baylor in the Texas Bowl.

Top Defensive Players

Like the previous slide, there are just a few names that have decided to opt out so far, but they're pretty big ones.

First, there's Michigan cornerback Will Johnson. Johnson has opted out of Michigan's Reliaquest Bowl against the Alabama Crimson Tide on Dec. 31. The news doesn't come as much of a surprise, as Johnson has played in just six games for the Wolverines this year, dealing with a turf toe and shoulder injury throughout the season. B/R ranks Johnson as the No. 5 overall prospect for 2025.

Speaking of Michigan, Johnson's teammate, defensive lineman Mason Graham, has also opted out of the Wolverines' game against the Tide. B/R ranks Graham as the No. 1 overall defensive lineman for 2025. He's had a career-high 45 tackles with 3.5 sacks for Michigan this year as a junior.

Texas A&M defensive lineman Shemar Stewart has declared for the 2025 and will not play in the Las Vegas Bowl against USC.

Other Players to Keep an Eye on

There are several other big names that have either not decided what they will do yet or indicated that they will play.

Colorado stars Shedeur Sanders and Travis Hunter are expected to play in the Buffs' Alamo Bowl game on Dec. 28 against BYU. Their head coach Deion Sanders has indicated that both Hunter and Sanders will play, although we have yet to hear directly from the players themselves.

Miami quarterback Cam Ward was a Heisman finalist after throwing for 4,123 yards and 36 touchdowns with just seven interceptions on the season. He has stated that the plan is for him to play in Miami's Pop Tart Bowl against Iowa State. Ward is B/R's No. 1 overall quarterback for 2025.

And so far ahead of Alabama's bowl game against Michigan, all signs are pointing toward the Tide not missing any guys. Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer indicated earlier this week that he isn't expecting many opt-outs. The biggest names to keep an eye on include quarterback Jalen Milroe, offensive linemen Parker Brailsford and Tyler Booker, defensive lineman LT Overton and safety Malachi Moore.

Speaking of Michigan, keep an eye on the likes of defensive lineman Kenneth Grant and tight end Colston Loveland. Both are projected first-rounders, and Loveland has been dealing with an injury throughout this season.

Although Texas A&M defensive lineman Nic Scourton declared for the 2025 draft, he has not indicated his status for TAMU's game on Dec. 27.

Ole Miss will take on Duke in the Gator Bowl on Jan. 2. Although head coach Lane Kiffin has stated that he expects most of his players to play, keep an eye on defensive linemen Walter Nolen and Princley Umanmeilen and quarterback Jaxson Dart.