College football bowl season begins in earnest on Tuesday night as the Troy Trojans and Jacksonville State Gamecocks do battle in the Salute to Veterans Bowl. The matchup brings together two teams who made it all the way to their respective conference championship games, but couldn’t quite get the job done to lift the Sun Belt or Conference USA title.
Still, this matchup of 8-5 teams promises to be an electric affair, with more on the line than a ninth win of the year and a delightful-looking trophy. The Salute to Veterans Bowl sees the return of the Ol’ School Bell rivalry for the first time in almost 25 years. Despite the magnitude of the event, there are some players not playing in this Troy vs. Jacksonville State matchup.
Top Trojans Players Not Playing in Troy vs. Jacksonville State
- Tae Meadows, RB (transfer portal)
- Patrick Bowling, OL (transfer portal)
- DJ Jackson, EDGE (transfer portal)
- Eli Russ, OL (injury)
- Garner Langlo, OL (injury)
- Elijah Prather, OL (injury)
MORE: College Football Bowl Game Opt-Out Tracker: Every Missing Player for Every Matchup
Running back Tae Meadows is the most notable Troy player not taking part in the Salute to Veterans matchup with Jacksonville State. After two seasons where he ran the rock just four total times, Meadows has been the heart and soul of the Trojans’ ground game, leading the team with 695 rushing yards, six touchdowns, and a 69.6 PFSN College RBi score.
There is also a notable name missing from the list of Troy players not playing in the Salute to Veterans Bowl. Quarterback Goose Crowder left the Sun Belt Championship Game on crutches and was considered a potential absentee. However, he was a full participant in the Trojans’ bowl practices and will try to play against Jacksonville State on Tuesday night.
Top Gamecocks Players Not Playing in Troy vs. Jacksonville State
- Reggie Jackson, OL (transfer portal)
- Chase Alexander, S (opt-out)
- Tre’Quon Fegans, DB (injury)
- Adrian Gumm, OL (injury)
- Tyrin Taylor, OL (injury)
- Jawaun Campbell, DL (injury)
After losing out to the Kennesaw State Owls, Jacksonville State heads to Cramton for the Salute to Veterans Bowl, looking to secure a third successive nine-win season in their short FBS tenure. The list of potential absentees is significantly less than that of their opponent, and the three injured players listed have not been officially ruled out by the team at the time of writing.
Right tackle Reggie Jackson entered the college football transfer portal following the conclusion of the season and isn’t expected to play. He missed the regular season finale against the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers, but did see the field in the CUSA Championship Game. Jackson was the Gamecocks’ second-highest graded offensive lineman with a 68.8 PFSN College OLi score. Chase Alexander isn’t in Cramton for the game.
