Totally agree.
Gabe Jacas, J.C. Davis opt out of bowl game
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Dee_4_Three_83
- Mahomet, IL
I feel like there could be a special insurance package that is paid for by the bowls to cover these kids that are pro level talents. That way if something happens to them, they are still set for life.
So what are the odds of playing in 12 games and not getting hurt and then getting hurt in game 13? How many injuries are there in bowl games on average every year? I'm not arguing either way, I'm just curious. Every game they play in could have a career ending injury.
blackdog
- Champaign
Jake Butt and Jaylon Smith are the two big examples because they both lost out on millions of dollars just from their rookie contracts since they were drafted so much lower as a result if injuries in bowl games.
Ryllini
- Lombard
If potentially 1 gumball of 13 is poison, I'm not risking it for Music City Bowl greatness.Thank you, Gabe. Go get your mind and body right and be great.
lstewart53x3
- Scottsdale, Arizona
So easy for some of the fans here to gamble other people’s money.
Illini2010-11
- Sugar Grove
Why would the bowls want to pay for this? I am finding it difficult to see the ROI from the bowl's standpoint. Not to mention, these insurance packages tend to be very restrictive and don't provide protection to "set for life" the injured star (and if they did, the cost would be too expensive for a non-CFP bowl to justify).
The opt outs now are generally taking place in these non-CFP bowl games. The other major issue is that many opt outs will be to get a jumpstart on entering the portal.
Unless the game is a CFP game, I scratch my head at all the angst towards players opting out of the bowl game. I, of course, want to see our best players play, but I respect the choice of players to do what is in their best interest for these non-CFP bowl games.
Good points.
But why play in the playoffs/CFP game?
There is some optimum game to quit playing.. maybe the bowl game, maybe mid season, maybe 3 games into the season.
Late 2nd or early third.
Is it?
Harlem Globetrotters games are meaningless. People still go. The NBA All-Star game is meaningless. People still go. When Liverpool goes on a preseason U.S. tour and plays their backups against Man City's backups at some random NFL stadium that's very meaningless. It sells out immediately.
One definition I found for the word "exhibition" was "(in sports) a game whose outcome does not affect a team's standing." Seems to fit.
Thank you Mr. JACAS. You are a Illini for life. We will all cheer for you and your future success.
Gabriel Jacas🤩 on Instagram
1,894 likes, 191 comments - gxbe2x on December 12, 2025www.instagram.com
Illini star OLB Gabe Jacas opts out of Music City Bowl
The pass rusher ends his prolific Illini career No. 2 in program history in sacks247sports.com
Non-CFP bowls are becoming as meaningless as a spring scrimmage. The attraction that remains is the location and venue. It’s more about the travel and venue than the exhibition game.
RabidDawgClassic
- Los Angeles, CA
$1 million is “pro money.” And yes… if he’s making that kind of money he should play in every game — postseason, regular season or otherwise. The problem is the money he receives is not officially for playing, so there’s nothing obligating him to play in any game — just like Skyy Clark got his full payday even though he left in January.
RabidDawgClassic
- Los Angeles, CA
By that logic, every game is an exhibition game.
RabidDawgClassic
- Los Angeles, CA
You are right… it’s a broken system that they did not create. The adults who want to keep the golden goose but have donors foot the bill are to blame for this mess.
But why are we just accepting bowl games as meaningless? Is it any more meaningless than our Northwesten game? Or our game at Wisconsin? Once a team is effectively eliminated from the playoffs, aren’t all of its games then meaningless? If we accept that then the system is more broken than we realize.
Still don't get why people are up in arms over this
Long term, it's a win-win. Gabe avoids injury risk like Pat did last year. Getting drafted and making a roster is a good advertisement for the program. Also gives the coaches a chance to let some young guys get some reps and show whether they have what it takes to contribute or whether we need to go into the portal.
Long term, it's a win-win. Gabe avoids injury risk like Pat did last year. Getting drafted and making a roster is a good advertisement for the program. Also gives the coaches a chance to let some young guys get some reps and show whether they have what it takes to contribute or whether we need to go into the portal.
lstewart53x3
- Scottsdale, Arizona
My thoughts are simple:
It’s unreasonable for a fan to demand a player play in a game that has zero upside and unlimited downside for the player, while the fan risks nothing. Instead, the fan gets 3 hours of entertainment in exchange for the player risking his family’s future, all the while the fan questions the player’s integrity. For the fan, it’s a game, for the player it’s his whole life.
Do you want good players? This is what it’s like having good players.
Also Matt Coral of Ole Miss against Baylor. In which incame a true freshman Luke Altmyer...
Meaningless may not have been the correct word but they are not on par with a playoff game in professional sports. And while NIL is lucrative, they risk potential injury that could derail a professional sports career. That being said, I love that Luke is playing and I’m excited still for the game.
To quote Shakespeare. "Parting is such sweet sorrow". Good luck in professional football and in life.
Would love for him to fall to the Cowboys
"And with the 15th pick in the 2026 NFL draft, the Dallas Cowboys select...Gabe Jacas, EDGE, Illinois."
We have two first rounders but I am hoping if he falls to te 2nd which draft boards show, the Cowboys can grab him.
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