Texas Longhorns vs Ohio State Buckeyes opt-outs and injury report: All players that are questionable or likely to miss Cotton Bowl
The Cotton Bowl between the Texas Longhorns and Ohio State Buckeyes is set to kick off on Friday at 7:30 pm ET. The game will determine the last team to make the College Football Playoff National Championship Game.
With such high stakes, here are the injury reports and list of missing players for the CFP semifinal.
Cotton Bowl opt-outs and injuries for Texas vs Ohio State
Texas Longhorns
The Longhorns have some big contributors in the injury report. Offensive tackles Cameron Williams and Kelvin Banks Jr. are questionable but expected to play. Wide receiver Isaiah Bond was limited in the Peach Bowl but is expected to play more against the Buckeyes.
Texas injuries
Cameron Williams, Offensive Tackle
The starting right tackle is listed as questionable but is expected to play for the Longhorns in the Cotton Bowl. Williams suited up but didn’t play in the Peach Bowl against Arizona State.
Kelvin Banks Jr., Offensive Tackle
The junior offensive tackle has struggled with an ankle injury suffered in the regular season finale against Texas A&M. He remains questionable for the Cotton Bowl but is expected to play.
Isaiah Bond, Wide Receiver
The junior wide receiver is questionable but expected to play versus the Buckeyes. Bond was on a pitch count in the Peach Bowl and didn’t record any stats. He has 33 receptions for 532 yards and five touchdowns this season.
Velton Gardner, Running Back
Gardner suffered an eye injury in November and will miss the rest of the season. The senior had 26 yards in eight carries.
Derek Williams Jr., Safety
Derek Williams Jr. suffered a lower-body injury in October and will not play again this season. He finished the season with 11 tackles, a forced fumble and an interception.
Christian Clark, Running Back
Clark suffered an Achilles injury in August and is lost for the season.
Trey Owens, Quarterback
The quarterback suffered a lower-body injury and is expected to miss the rest of the season.
CJ Baxter, Running Back
The sophomore running back suffered a knee injury and will miss the rest of the season.
Texas Opt-outs
Aaron Bryant, DT
Aaron Bryant entered the transfer portal after three years in Austin. He played in 13 games during his time with the Longhorns.
Derion Gullette, LB
The linebacker entered the transfer portal after two games with Texas. He signed with the Mississippi State Bulldogs.
Jaray Bledsoe, DT
Another former Longhorn will be joining Mississippi State in 2025. Bledsoe will not play in the Cotton Bowl.
Jay'Vion Cole, CB
Jay’Vion Cole entered the transfer portal. He is expected to play in Arizona next season.
Johntay Cook, WR
The oft-injured wide receiver was one of the top players entering the portal. He has committed. He committed to Washington, ending his time in Texas with 16 catches.
Tausili Akana, LB
The freshman linebacker entered the transfer portal and will be joining BYU for the 2025 season.
Tiaoalii Savea, DT
Savea entered the portal for the second year in a row after a year in Austin. He had been at Arizona for two years before joining the Longhorns.
Sydur Mitchell, Linebacker
The defensive lineman entered the transfer portal and committed to LSU.
Justice Finkley, Edge
The junior linebacker entered the transfer portal and will not be available for the Longhorns in the Cotton Bowl.
Ohio State Buckeyes
The Buckeyes have little change from their Rose Bowl injury report. They have some injuries on the offensive line, most notably Chase McLaughlin, but they’ve dealt with them for weeks.
Ohio State injuries
Seth McLaughlin, Center
The star center suffered an Achilles injury in late November and is out for the season.
Josh Simmons, Left Tackle
Offensive tackle Josh Simmons suffered a knee injury in an October game against the Oregon Ducks. He’s been ruled out for the season.
Reis Stockdale, Wide Receiver
Reis Stockdale is out for the Cotton Bowl with an undisclosed injury. There is no timetable for his return.
Rashid SeSay, Running Back
The running back is dealing with an undisclosed injury and is out for the game against Texas.
Jace Middleton, Tight End
The senior tight end is questionable for the Cotton Bowl with an undisclosed injury.
Nolan Baudo, Wide Receiver
Sophomore Nolan Baudo is dealing with an undisclosed injury. He is questionable for Friday’s game against Texas.
Ohio State Opt-outs
Zen Michalski, Offensive Tackle
The injured offensive tackle entered the transfer portal. He committed to the Indiana Hoosiers.
Jayden Bonsu, Safety
Sophomore safety Jayden Bonsu entered the transfer portal. He’s expected to play at Pitt next season.
Air Noland, Quarterback
The quarterback entered the transfer portal. He committed to South Carolina after not finding playing time in Columbus.
Miles Walker, Offensive Tackle
Miles Walker entered the transfer portal and signed with the Boise State Broncos.
Kajo Antwi, Wide Receiver
Antwi entered the transfer portal and will not play in the Cotton Bowl. He had one reception for eight yards in 2024.
Jayden Ballard, Wide Receiver
The wide receiver entered the transfer portal. He had two receptions for 18 yards this season.
Gabe Powers, Linebacker
Gabe Powers will not play in the Cotton Bowl after entering the transfer portal. Powers finished the season with five tackles and an interception. He will join Kansas State in 2025.