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Memphis football opt outs, who's in, who's out vs NC State, bowl game
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- Memphis football opt outs, who's in, who's out vs NC State, bowl game
Memphis football and NC State are playing in a relatively early bowl game, so that means both rosters will be close to full strength.
The Tigers (8-4) will face the Wolfpack (7-5) on Dec. 19 (1:30 p.m., ESPN) in the Gasparilla Bowl at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. Memphis has an interim coach in Reggie Howard because Ryan Silverfield left for Arkansas after the regular season ended.
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Silverfield was replaced by Charles Huff , but Huff has said he won't get involved with the team until after the bowl game. Howard and a makeshift offensive coaching staff will lead the Tigers as they try to win a bowl game over a power conference team for the third-straight year.
Though plenty of Tigers' players will likely enter the portal when it opens on Jan. 2, only a handful have already announced they plan to do so. Howard said on Dec. 11 that he didn't expect any opt-outs, but a couple players have already been removed from the Tigers' roster.
Memphis football players opting out of Gasparilla Bowl
Defensive back Samson Israel and offensive lineman Sean Dugery have both said on social media that they intend to enter the transfer portal, and both have been removed from the roster. Israel made his first start against ECU on Nov. 15 and made 17 tackles on the season.
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Defensive back Jaylon Thompson said on social media that he plans to enter the transfer portal, but he's still listed on the roster as of Dec. 16. Quarterback Arrington Maiden said the same, but Howard specifically said Maiden will be available for the Gasparilla Bowl.
Many bowl games have projected draft picks opting out, but Memphis doesn't have any players expected to be picked early in the draft.
NC State players opting out of the Gasparilla Bowl
NC State coach Dave Doeren said ahead of the game that opting out of a bowl game is "throwing in the towel." So far, the Wolfpack have most of their roster intact.
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"I don't understand opt outs, period," Doeren said.
Reach sports writer Jonah Dylan at jonah.dylan@commercialappeal.com or on X @thejonahdylan .
This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Memphis football opt outs, who's in, who's out vs NC State, bowl game
