Alabama opt-outs tracker: All Crimson Tide players that will not participate in Michigan face-off

The No. 11-ranked Alabama Crimson Tide will play in the ReliaQuest Bowl on New Year's Eve against the Michigan Wolverines. Although it should be an exciting non-playoff bowl game, this is not the end to the season the Crimson Tide had hoped for. They narrowly missed out on a playoff berth and likely would have qualified if they had not lost 24-3 to Oklahoma in the second-last game of the season.

However, they did lose, and they did not qualify for the college football playoff. The Crimson Tide's consolation prize is one of the most anticipated bowl games of the season. They play Michigan, which also had a hugely disappointing season.

Unfortunately, bowl season typically sees several players opt out of the games as they enter the transfer portal or prepare for the NFL draft. Alabama is not immune and nine members who have opted out of the ReliaQuest Bowl.

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Which players on Alabama have opted out of the ReliaQuest Bowl?

Alabama does not have any players who have opted out of the ReliaQuest Bowl to prepare for the NFL draft. As a result, quarterback Jalen Milroe is expected to play in the game. However, the Crimson Tide does have nine players who have entered the transfer portal and opted out as a result.

• Damon Payne, DL (transfer portal)
• Dylan Lonergan, QB (transfer portal)
• Hunter Osborne, DL (transfer portal)
• Jaheim Oatis, DL (transfer portal)
• Jahlil Hurley, CB (transfer portal)
• Jaylen Mbakwe, DB (transfer portal)
• Justice Haynes, RB (transfer portal)
• Keanu Koht, EDGE (transfer portal)
• Kobe Prentice, WR (transfer portal)

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Coach Kalen DeBoer comments on possible opt-outs for the ReliaQuest Bowl

Kalen DeBoer spoke about the possibility of opt-outs on Dec. 9 and did not seem concerned about opt-outs. While none have opted out after declaring for the NFL draft, several have opted out because they entered the transfer portal.

"I’m not saying there won’t be one, but I feel like right now, we’re in a place where most of those guys are planning on playing," DeBoer said. "I don’t care what round they’re planning on going in. We’ll see. That’s my early understanding, having talked with a few guys."

It will be interesting to see if the list of opt-outs expands in the coming weeks. Alabama has one of the latest non-playoff bowl games, so there is still time for players to opt-out. That situation will be monitored closely as the game approaches.