The Tigers will be dealing with a few opt-outs of their own for the Jan. 2 Citrus Bowl contest against Purdue at Camping World Stadium in Orlando — namely edge rusher [autotag]BJ Ojulari[/autotag] — but it pales in comparison to what the Boilermakers will be dealing with.
According to a report from ESPN’s Pete Thamel, Purdue starting quarterback Aidan O’Connell will opt out of this game in preparation for the 2023 NFL draft. O’Connell threw for 3,490 yards, 22 touchdowns and 13 interceptions this season while guiding his team to a Big Ten West title.
He’s not the only one, either. Per ESPN’s Adam Rittenberg, the Boilermakers will be without an additional trio of starters in receiver Charlie Jones, tight end Payne Durham and cornerback Cory Trice.
The following #Purdue players are opting out of the Citrus Bowl against #LSU: QB Aidan O’Connell (as @PeteThamel reported earlier), TE Payne Durham, WR Charlie Jones and CB Cory Trice.
— Adam Rittenberg (@ESPNRittenberg) December 15, 2022
Given the fact that Purdue will also be led by an interim coach in Brian Brohm, who is replacing his brother Jeff after the latter took the job at his alma mater Louisville, this will certainly be a shorthanded team facing an LSU squad looking to reverse a two-game losing streak to end the season.
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