An Inside Look at Byron Young's Decision not to opt-out of the Orange Bowl

[EZE]

OUTSTANDING..!!
"Opting out" on your team is disgusting.
'nuff said.

Easy to say when you sit in the peanut gallery with nothing to lose.

 

[HoopCreekVol]

That's well said Steven, Thank you. It is a tough decision or at least it should be. One of my concerns about allowing "opting out" to become an acceptable, even expected part of College Football is the question: How long do folks think it will be before players "opt out" of ANY so-called "meaningless games" (in their humble opinion at least) during the season..?? Looking back at our schedule this past year it's not hard to imagine a players going to Coach Heupel saying something like "Hey Coach..I proved myself against Ball State and Pittsburgh I believe I'll sit out the meaningless Akron game and get ready for Florida."
I'm sure at this moment in history most folks believe that's ludicrous...can't happen...would never happen. REALLY..???
10 years ago....how many of you saw million dollar NIL deals being offered to kids in High School..??

You make some very good points. While no one can really see the future, we can surely read the handwriting on the wall of what is about to happen.

 

[hUTch2002]

The opting out thing is a tough decision for me. I completely see both sides. They are both valid. I believe if you made it to a bowl game with your teammates you should play. However, I also see the injury risk and the chance at life changing money that is on the line. Also, I believe you can improve your draft stock by playing. I would have been disapointed if he didn't play. I would not have been upset.

Devil’s advocate, then why play in a conference championship game if you’re a 3-loss LSU, 4-loss Purdue, 3-loss Utah, etc.? For that matter, if you’re already a star like Bryce Young who will definitely be drafted high why play at this year? Sit out and stay healthy for the NFL. The reality is there’s risk in everything. For the healthy players opting out did they ever play scared of being injured? I doubt it so why the fear of it in a bowl game? I agree it should be the kid’s choice but I don’t agree with healthy kids opting out. They shouldn’t be forced to play though. If they don’t want to play then don’t.