Bowl season is a bit of a different animal these days. Over the past several seasons, we’ve seen a growing trend of NFL prospects skipping these postseason matchups to guard against injury. Skipping the bowl game also allows them to get a head start on prep for All-Star events and the NFL Combine.
Tennessee’s bowl opponent, Purdue, has a couple of NFL prospects in the first round conversation this season. Defensive end George Karlaftis and wide receiver David Bell declared for the draft shortly after the bowl matchup was announced, and now both have decided not to play against Tennessee in the Music City Bowl.