Top Michigan, Alabama Players Not Playing in the Rose Bowl
The Alabama Crimson Tide and Michigan Wolverines are set to compete in the Rose Bowl for a chance to advance to this year’s National Championship Game. The Rose Bowl will see some of the top players in college football collide in a heavily anticipated matchup of two powerhouse programs.
However, some players will not be playing in the College Football Playoff Semifinal, with players missing out because they have suffered injuries or entered the transfer portal. Which of the top players are set to be missing from the action?
Top Alabama, Michigan Players Not Playing the Rose Bowl
Using the College Football Network Bowl Game Opt-Out Tracker, we know the Alabama and Michigan players who have opted out of playing in the College Football Playoffs and the Semifinal at the Rose Bowl.
The game will occur at the historic Rose Bowl in Pasadena on January 1, 2024, at 5 pm ET. It is the first of the two playoff semifinals on New Year’s Day.
For the full game preview and prediction: Rose Bowl Prediction: Michigan vs. Alabama Odds, Spread, DFS Picks, and More
Alabama Players To Miss the Rose Bowl
While Alabama will miss some useful players, the core of their team remains intact. Head coach Nick Saban retains the majority of the team that led them to the Playoff, but some players have been lost to the transfer portal.
Most notably, the Crimson Tide will be without backup QB Tyler Buchner, who entered the transfer portal and will be transferring to play lacrosse back at Notre Dame rather than football.
However, the biggest loss for Alabama will be wide receiver Ja’Corey Brooks. After productive freshman and sophomore seasons, Brooks entered the transfer portal after being sparingly used in 2023, leading to his decision to transfer out. Brooks has since committed to Louisville for the 2024 season.
Fellow WR Thaiu Jones-Bell has also chosen to enter the transfer portal and will not be participating in the Rose Bowl. Jones-Bell has not been active for Alabama in 2023, so the majority of the Crimson Tide receiving corps remains together.
Jermaine Burton and Isaiah Bond have led the team in receiving yards, and both look to be ready for the playoff semi-final.
Alabama Players Expected To Miss the Rose Bowl:
- Isaiah Hastings, DL (transfer portal)
- Ja’Corey Brooks, WR (transfer portal)
- Tyler Buchner, QB (transfer portal)
- Thaiu Jones-Bell, WR (transfer portal)
- Anquin Barnes, DL (transfer portal)
Michigan Players To Miss the Rose Bowl
Michigan enters the Rose Bowl ranked as the No. 1 team in the nation and will have most of its roster available to play.
Michigan’s biggest loss is offensive lineman Zak Zinter, who broke his tibia and fibula in Michigan’s victory over Ohio State in the regular season finale. Zinter has undergone surgery but is facing a lengthy period on the sidelines, ending his college career in Ann Arbor.
The only two players Michigan has lost to the transfer portal so far are running backs, Leon Franklin and CJ Stokes. Stokes only had four carries in 2023, after a strong freshman campaign in 2022, with 273 yards from 55 carries. Blake Corum and Donovan Edwards are the headline backs for the Wolverines, and both will feature heavily in the playoffs.
Stokes has, however, stated that he will be at the Rose Bowl, posting on X, formally known as Twitter, “I will be with the team for the CFP, although I will still remain in the portal.”
He has been on the Wolverines’ injury report since Week 2 of the season with an undisclosed injury, and despite being with the team, Stokes isn’t expected to be on the field.
- CJ Stokes, RB (transfer portal)
- Leon Franklin, RB (transfer portal)
- Zak Zinter, OL (Injury)
- Karmello English, WR (Injury)
