Gator Bowl coaches confident any player opt-outs will be minimal

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The two coaches who will meet in the 81st TaxSlayer Gator Bowl aren’t sure how many of their NFL draft-eligible players will opt out of the game.

But they promise whoever shows up to play will want to be there — and will play hard.

No. 20 Virginia (10-3) will face No. 25 Missouri (8-4) on Dec. 27 at EverBank Stadium (7:30 p.m., ABC) in only the second meeting in history between the two teams, who both have program records within reach with a victory in Jacksonville.

“I think competitors want to compete,” said Missouri coach Eli Drinkwitz on a Gator Bowl videoconference on Dec. 9. “Warriors always run to the fight. These guys are made to compete. They love football. If you don’t love football, you wouldn’t do it the way we’re committed to doing it. And so, I know our guys are going to want to play for the Brotherhood.”

Virginia coach Tony Elliott said his team’s motivation comes from the fact that this is the first bowl game for the Cavaliers in the fourth season of his reclamation project after taking over for Bronco Mendenhall in 2022. UVA went a combined 11-23 in its first three years but can match that this season with a victory over the Tigers.

A victory also sets a Virginia record for the most in one season.

“We’re playing an outstanding football team, we’re in a great venue, and we have an opportunity still to do something that hasn’t been done within this program ever,” said Elliott, a former Clemson player whose first bowl experience was the 2003 Gator Bowl vs. Virginia Tech. “So, while we came up a little bit short in the last game, we still have a ton, ton to play for, and that’s really what we’re going to focus on, getting our guys back ready to go.”

Mizzou, UVA had contrasting ends to regular seasons

The two teams are coming to Jacksonville with different endings to their regular season. Missouri won two of their last three games, with a 16-7 loss at Oklahoma between victories over Mississippi State, while Virginia lost in overtime to Duke in the ACC Championship game.

“It’s a great learning opportunity for us,” Elliott said of getting his team’s collective mind right for Virginia’s first bowl game in six years after the heartbreaking upset loss to Duke. “I think adversity is a companion of a champion and an enemy to the weak, and we have to learn how to grow and get back. But we have a tremendous opportunity.”

Missouri has its own goals in place. The Tigers have never won nine or more games three years in a row, never won bowl games three years in a row, and never finished three seasons in a row as a ranked team.

“Coach Elliott spoke about having the opportunity to do something that’s never been done before,” Drinkwitz said. “We have an opportunity to do something that’s never been done before in the history of our program.”

Five players who could opt out for Virginia

Offensive tackle Monroe Mills is projected as high as the fourth round by some draft services and his stock could rise given his NFL size (6 feet 7, 315 pounds).
Safety Antonio Clary, a Sandalwood graduate who is in his seventh year of football, is projected as a possible third-day draft pick.
Quarterback Chandler Morris, also projected as a third-day pick. However, Virginia is seeking a seventh year of eligibility after an injury-plagued career that has included stops at Oklahoma, TCU and North Texas.
Wide receiver Jahmal Edrine, currently slotted as a third-day pick.
Center Brady Wilson, another third-day projection.

Five players who could opt out for Missouri

Edge rusher Zion Young, among several Tigers voted to the All-SEC first team on Dec. 9, is projected as high as the second round.
Linebacker Josiah Trotter, the son of former NFL star Jeremiah Trotter Sr., and brother of current Philadelphia Eagles player Jeremiah Trotter Jr., is projected as a third-round player. He is also first-team All-SEC.
Damon Wilson II, the defensive end on the other side from Young and second-team All-SEC, has been slotted as high as the third round. His 49 pressures, according to Pro Football Focus, are second in the SEC to Collin Simmons of Texas.
Right offensive tackle Keagon Trost, ranked by PFF as the nation’s highest-graded offensive lineman, currently has a second-round projection. A first-team All-SEC pick, Trost lead a line that cleared the way for the Tigers to lead the SEC in rushing, with sophomore Ahmad Hardy (also first-team All-SEC) to finish second in the nation with 1,560 yards.
Left offensive tackle Cayden Green, a true junior, is projected in the third or fourth round by several services.

Opt-out decisions will be coming soon

Both coaches said decisions will be made over the next two weeks or so.

“We’ve had a couple of players transfer and we’re still in the middle of the negotiation phase over the next few weeks,” Drinkwitz said. “I feel for the most part we’re going to be as close to full strength as we can. I haven’t had any NFL declarations yet. Those grades for underclassmen will come back this week. There are things that can change, but I feel very confident in our senior class wanting to play and play at a high level.”

Elliott said in the end the decisions rest with the players who have draft prospects, but he’s hopeful the desire to play once more with their teammates will override any considerations of opting out.

“I’m confident that our guys will want to finish this season because it’s been a special year with a special group of young men,” he said. “But there are so many things as a head coach we can’t control. Whoever we do show up with will be excited and ready to play and want to compete. A competitor will want to play, especially in a game like this, and I anticipate the bulk of our guys will want to compete.”

Gator Bowl team travel plans

Both teams will arrive in Jacksonville on Dec. 23 and spend Christmas Eve and Christmas on the First Coast.

Missouri’s team and official party will stay at the Sawgrass Marriott in Ponte Vedra Beach and practices will be held at the University of North Florida’s Hodges Stadium. Virginia’s team and official party will stay at the Omni Amelia Island Resort and Spa and practices will be at Fernandina Beach High School.

Both coaches are likely to close practices.

How to get Gator Bowl tickets

Tickets are on sale through taxslayergatorbowl.com. The Gator Bowl’s secondary marketing partner is ticketmaster.com.

This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Eli Drinkwitz, Tony Elliott confident Gator Bowl teams will be full strength

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