Frisco Bowl opt-outs and injury report: Top Memphis & West Virginia players not playing

The Frisco Bowl is set to take place on Tuesday at the Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas. The No. 25 Memphis Tigers take on the West Virginia Mountaineers.

Memphis finished the season going 10-2 as the Tigers ended the year beating Tulane. West Virginia, meanwhile, went 6-6 and lost to Texas Tech to end its regular season.

With both teams not playing in the College Football Playoff, both have had several key players enter the transfer portal.

Frisco Bowl opt-outs

Memphis

The Memphis Tigers have four players not playing in the Frisco Bowl.

William Stewart, LS, transfer portal

Memphis Tigers long snapper William Stewart is in the transfer portal and won't play in the Frisco Bowl. Stewart has been at Memphis since 2022.

Tahj Ra-El, S, transfer portal

Memphis defensive back Tahj Ra-El has entered the transfer portal and won't play in the Frisco Bowl. Ra-El played one year at Memphis after three years with Old Dominion. He finished the year with 19 tackles and one interception.

Sutton Smith, RB, injury

Sutton Smith won't play in the Frisco Bowl due to an injury. Smith hasn't played since Aug. 31. This season, he rushed for 7 yards on three carries. In 2023, he pushed for 405 yards and 63 carries.

Marcello Bussey, WR, injury

Tigers wide receiver Marcello Bussey is out of the lineup due to an injury. Bussey hasn't played since Sept. 28 due to an injury. In four games, he caught 10 passes for 147 yards and one touchdown.

West Virginia opt-outs & injury

West Virginia has seven players in the transfer portal and four players injured.

Josiah Trotter, LB, transfer portal

Josiah Trotter is in the transfer portal - Source: Imagn

Linebacker Josiah Trotter has entered the transfer portal and won't play in the Frisco Bowl. Trotter recorded 93 tackles and an interception in his freshman season.

TJ Crandall, CB, transfer portal

TJ Crandall will enter the transfer portal for the second straight year. Crandall began his college career at Colorado State, and after one year at West Virginia, he entered the portal. Crandall recorded nine tackles for the Mountaineers.

Tyler Evans, WR, transfer portal

West Virginia wide receiver Tyler Evans is in the transfer portal and won't play in the Frisco Bowl. Evans didn't play a game in 2024.

Will Dixon, TE, transfer portal

Will Dixon is in the transfer portal and won't play in the Frisco Bowl as he's in the transfer portal. Dixon didn't record any offensive stats in 2024.

Bryce Biggs, OL, transfer portal

West Virginia offensive lineman Bryce Biggs is in the transfer portal and won't play in the Frisco Bowl.

Josiah Jackson, DB, transfer portal

Josiah Jackson is in the transfer portal, as the cornerback/safety didn't play in 2024 after recording just one tackle.

Raleigh Collins III, DB, transfer portal

Raleigh Collins III will enter the transfer portal after three years at West Virginia. He didn't record any stats in 2024.

Jaden Bray, WR, injury

Jaden Bray is dealing with an injury - Source: Imagn

Jaden Bray is dealing with an injury and won't play in the Frisco Bowl. Bray recorded two receptions for 88 yards this season.

Traylon Ray, WR, injury

Traylon Ray is dealing with an injury and won't play in the Frisco Bowl. The receiver recorded 28 receptions for 426 yards and four touchdowns in 2024.

Ayden Garnes, CB, injury

Ayden Garnes is dealing with an injury and won't play in the Frisco Bowl. Garnes recorded 19 tackles.

Aubrey Burks, S, injury

Aubrey Burks won't play in the Frisco Bowl due to an injury. Burks recorded 13 tackles in 2024.