[jwplayer 8xPQIEAt-XNcErKyb]
ANN ARBOR, Mich. — On Saturday, junior Alabama wide receiver Jerry Jeudy shocked the world when he announced on Twitter that he would be playing in the VRBO Citrus Bowl against Michigan, as it’s been a trend in recent years that the top talent that isn’t in the College Football Playoff forgoes their final game as to avoid injury. This is the first year that the Crimson Tide haven’t been in the playoff since its inception in 2014, so the expectation was that a bevy of their draft eligible players wouldn’t suit up against the Wolverines in Orlando.
Even Michigan had several who didn’t play in the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl a year ago, a New Year’s Six game that might not have the gravitas of the playoff, but certainly still has luster.
However this year, it doesn’t look that that will be the case — at least not in the minds of some of the leaders of this 2019 squad.
There’s plenty of speculation not just surrounding those who have exhausted their intercollegiate eligibility, but also around some of the draft eligible juniors. One such player, redshirt junior linebacker Josh Uche, has already declared his intentions to leave the program with a year on the table for the NFL Draft, but stated simultaneously that he’ll be playing in his final go-round against Alabama.
But what about the others? As far as the current players have noticed, there doesn’t seem to be any intentions by anyone to sit this game out. Everyone that can physically practice has done so, many noted on Sunday evening.
“I haven’t heard anything about it,” senior Ben Bredeson said when asked if he had or would address the team about playing in the VRBO Citrus Bowl. “There’s really nothing to address. I think everyone’s on the same page. Any chance you get to play for Michigan, everyone’s gonna do it.”
“I don’t think anyone’s gonna sit out,” junior defensive end Kwity Paye said. “We should end the season strong. I feel like a lot of our seniors didn’t end the season strong (against Ohio State). I feel like this is another way to do that.”
As far as those seniors who already are looking at their next steps, with some like quarterback Shea Patterson having already accepted a spot in the East-West Shrine Bowl — a showcase for outgoing college prospects for NFL scouts — they’re leading the way.
The word that kept getting bandied about on Sunday night was ‘opportunity,’ and that’s precisely how these players see going up against a perennial powerhouse in Alabama — even if it is in the VRBO Citrus Bowl, which is outside of both the playoffs and the New Year’s Six games.
And given how the final contest of the regular season went against Ohio State, many see it as a chance to wash the bad taste out of their mouths.
“Hopefully nobody’s sitting out,” Patterson said. “I talked to Josh Metellus, and we’re playing. I don’t think anybody has any room to sit out in this game. I think everybody, for anything, it’s an opportunity for the seniors. If they’re thinking about sitting out, it would only hurt them.”
“I wouldn’t expect anybody that can play to not play,” fifth-year senior linebacker Jordan Glasgow said. “We’re playing a very good Alabama team. You perform there, you create a very good situation for yourself going forward. So if anyone wants to sit out, I would say not to. I’d recommend not to because we’re playing a very good team. We have an opportunity to leave the team on a good note.”
Of course, it’s understandable that some might consider not playing, given the history even on this particular team.
In 2016, the Wolverines finished the season playing against Florida State in the Capital One Orange Bowl, a consolation prize given that the maize and blue were a questionable spot in Columbus away from being in the final four. Tight end Jake Butt, a team captain and projected early-round draft pick, had no considerations to not play in his final game in a winged helmet, and it ended up costing him.
Near the end of the first half, as a pass was launched Butt’s way down the sidelines, he came down awkwardly, and tore his ACL for the second-time in his Michigan career. He slid all the way from being a borderline first-to-second round pick to the first selection of the fifth-round in the 2017 NFL Draft.
Still, with a team like Alabama on the docket, which has either played in or won all but one of the College Football Playoff final games, regardless of the risk, it’s a chance to showcase your abilities more than any other, Patterson notes.
“I think it just depends on your situation,” Patterson said. “But anytime you have an opportunity to go out there and play and compete against the best in the country, it’s another opportunity to prove yourself.”
The VRBO Citrus Bowl is set to take place in Orlando on Jan. 1 at Camping World Stadium, with kickoff set for 1PM EST.
[lawrence-auto-related count=5 category=1361]