Citrus Bowl opt-outs and injury report: Top South Carolina & Illinois players not playing

The South Carolina Gamecocks are set to play the Illinois Fighting Illini on Tuesday at 3 p.m. ET in the Citrus Bowl.

South Carolina went 9-3 and ended the year with an upset win over Clemson. Illinois, meanwhile, went 9-3 and ended the year with a 38-28 victory over Northwestern.

Both teams missed out on the College Football Playoff and lost several key to the transfer portal.

Citrus Bowl opt-outs

South Carolina

The South Carolina Gamecocks have several key players who won't play in the Citrus Bowl:

• Robby Ashford, QB (transfer portal)
• Djay Braswell, RB (transfer portal)
• Raheim Sanders, RB (opt-out)
• CJ Adams, WR (transfer portal)
• Debron Gatling, WR (transfer portal)
• Elijah Caldwell, WR (transfer portal)
• Tyshawn Russell, WR (transfer portal)
• Connor Cox, TE (transfer portal)
• Nick Elksnis, TE (transfer portal)
• Reid Mikeska, TE (transfer portal)
• Ni Mansell, OL (transfer portal)
• Elijah Davis, DL (transfer portal)
• Jamaal Whyce, DL (transfer portal)
• Kyle Kennard, DL (opt-out)
• Bangally Kamara, LB (transfer portal)
• Mohamed Kaba, LB (transfer portal)

The Gamecocks also have some players battling injuries ahead of the Citrus Bowl.

Matthew Fuller, RB, injury

Gamecocks depth running back Matthew Fuller is questionable due to an injury. Fuller rushed for 25 yards on eight carries in his freshman season.

Vandrevius Jacobs, WR, injury

Star receiver Vandrevius Jacobs is questionable to play due to an injury. Jacobs caught 12 passes for 181 yards this season.

Jakai Moore, OL, injury

Offensive lineman Jakai Moore is questionable to play in the Citrus Bowl on Tuesday.

Nick Barrett, DL

Nick Barrett is questionable to play due to an injury. Barrett recorded four tackles this season.

Illinois

The Fighting Illini also have several key players in the portal and won't play in the Citrus Bowl:

• Carl Swanson, QB (transfer portal)
• Donovan Leary, QB (transfer portal)
• Kenari Wilcher, WR (transfer portal)
• Pat Bryant, WR (opt-out)
• Nate Guinn, TE (transfer portal)
• Hunter Whitenack, OL (transfer portal)
• Kevin Wigenton II, OL (transfer portal)
• Zy Crisler, OL (transfer portal)
• Enyce Sledge, DL (transfer portal)
• Chase Canada, CB (transfer portal)
• Demetrius Hill, S (transfer portal)
• Declan Duley, P (transfer portal)
• Hugh Robertson, P (transfer portal)

Illinois has four injured players.

Kaden Feagin, RB, injury

Kaden Feagin won't play (Image source: Imagn)

Running back Kaden Feagin won't play in the Citrus Bowl due to an injury. Feagin rushed for 306 yards and three touchdowns this season.

Ashton Hollins, WR, injury

Ashton Hollins won't play in the Citrus Bowl due to an injury. Hollins had two receptions for 40 yards this season.

Cole Rusk, TE, injury

Cole Rusk won't play in the Citrus Bowl due to an undisclosed injury. Rusk didn't record any stats this season.

Mason Muragin, LB, injury

Mason Muragin is out due to an injury. The linebacker didn't record any stats this season.