Wake Forest enters Friday’s Duke’s Mayo Bowl with a chance at program history, but both the Demon Deacons and Mississippi State will be missing key contributors when they meet at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina. Here are the latest opt-outs and injuries to monitor for the Duke Mayo Bowl.
Which Players Aren’t Playing in the Duke Mayo Bowl?
The Demon Deacons (8-4) are seeking their ninth victory, which would place them among the top four teams in school history alongside the 11-win squads from 2006 and 2021. First-year head coach Jake Dickert told reporters his team has “unfinished business” after stumbling in a 49-32 loss to Duke in the regular season finale.
“I feel like this group has unfinished business. We have an opportunity to get to nine wins and be one of the top four teams in Wake Forest history. We kind of fell on our face in the Duke game. I think there is a little bit of an edge from that football game for our guys wanting to finish.”
Wake Forest’s biggest absence comes in the backfield. Running back Demond Claiborne has opted out to focus on NFL Draft preparation.
Claiborne’s absence leaves a significant void in Wake Forest’s backfield. The second-team All-ACC selection finished the 2025 season with 907 rushing yards on 179 carries (5.07 yards per attempt) and 10 touchdowns across 12 games. He also contributed as a receiver, hauling in 28 catches for 140 yards on 38 targets.
Claiborne ranked 32nd nationally in rush attempts and handled 68.1% of Wake Forest’s running back carries, underscoring just how much the Demon Deacons relied on him this season. He finished the season ranked 82nd in PFSN’s CFB RB Impact metric.
Ty Clark will take over the starting duties, with quarterback Robby Ashford expected to shoulder more of the offensive burden.
The Demon Deacons also lose three players to the transfer portal who will not participate: defensive tackle Mateen Ibirogba and wide receivers Christopher Barnes and Micah Mays Jr. On the injury front, edge rusher Nuer Gatkuoth and offensive guard George Steih are listed as questionable.
Additional potential opt-outs include right tackle Fa’alili Fa’amoe and safeties Davaughn Patterson and Nick Andersen, though Andersen, a first-team All-ACC selection who recorded 94 tackles, would be a significant loss if unavailable.
MORE: PFSN’s College Football Transfer Portal Tracker
Mississippi State (5-7) backed into bowl eligibility when there weren’t enough six-win teams to fill all available slots, but coach Jeff Lebby called accepting the bid “a no-brainer.” The Bulldogs will look to avoid dubious history: a loss would make them just the seventh bowl team to finish 5-8.
The most notable absence for Mississippi State is quarterback Blake Shapen, who is skipping the game to focus on draft preparation. Shapen started 11 games this season but dealt with injuries down the stretch.
Freshman Kamario Taylor, who started the regular season finale against Ole Miss, will take the reins. Taylor showed dual-threat ability in that game, rushing for 173 yards and two touchdowns on 20 carries while throwing for 178 yards in a 38-19 loss.
Safety Tony Mitchell has opted out after entering the transfer portal, and linebacker Derion Gullette is listed as questionable due to injury. Safety Isaac Smith is also a potential opt-out. The Bulldogs will have a new look on the defensive staff as well, with former head coach Zach Arnett returning as defensive coordinator after Coleman Hutzle was fired earlier this season.
Wake Forest Opt-Outs and Injuries:
- RB Demond Claiborne – Opted out (NFL Draft)
- DT Mateen Ibirogba – Opted out (transfer portal)
- WR Christopher Barnes – Opted out (transfer portal)
- WR Micah Mays Jr. – Opted out (transfer portal)
- EDGE Nuer Gatkuoth – Questionable (injury)
- OG George Steih – Questionable (injury)
Mississippi State Opt-Outs and Injuries:
- QB Blake Shapen – Opted out (NFL Draft)
- S Tony Mitchell – Opted out (transfer portal)
- LB Derion Gullette – Questionable (injury)
How to Watch the Duke Mayo Bowl
- Date: Friday, Jan. 2
- Start time: 8 p.m. ET
Mississippi State vs. Wake Forest will be broadcast nationally on ESPN in the Duke’s Mayo Bowl. Anish Shroff and Andre Ware will call the game from the booth at Bank of America Stadium, with Paul Carcaterra reporting from the field.
