Brock Bowers, Amarius Mims not with team as Georgia arrives for Orange Bowl

Two top Georgia players did not appear to travel with the team to Miami as the Bulldogs landed on Tuesday evening, according to a report from Palmer Thombs of DawgsHQ.

Star tight end Brock Bowers and offensive tackle Amarius Mims were not spotted getting off the team plane. Both dealt with high-ankle sprains during the 2023 season, though they finished the year in the active lineup.

Coach Kirby Smart didn’t offer a ton of clarity when speaking to reporters about potential opt-outs.

“Right now we’ve got our guys that are healthy playing,” Smart said. “Guys that are completely healthy cleared to play, they’ve all said they’re going to play.”

Bowers is considered a top 2024 NFL Draft prospect and could decide to sit out the Orange Bowl matchup against Florida State to preserve his health and begin working toward the draft.

He was a superstar for Georgia over the past three seasons.

The talented tight end totaled 2,538 receiving yards and 26 touchdowns, while also adding 193 rushing yards and five scores on the ground. He was a mismatch nightmare.

Smart also addressed Bowers’ status for the game specifically.

“That’s up to Brock. Brock’s been with us the whole time and he’s been doing all the things he’s got to do,” Smart said. “It’s more important though that he’s 100%. The guy probably played earlier than he should have, came out there and competed his butt off. He’s done everything he can for Georgia. He’s not 100% so it makes it a little harder to do.”

Bowers and Mims both suffered high-ankle sprains that required a tight-rope surgery during the season to repair. Mims’ recovery took significantly longer than Bowers.

Mims is also viewed as a top NFL Draft prospect after anchoring a tackle spot for the Bulldogs.

In any case, Georgia will be facing a Florida State team with a slew of opt-outs itself. So it won’t quite be best on best in the Orange Bowl, with both teams still reeling after missing the College Football Playoff.

The Orange Bowl is set to take place on Saturday with a kickoff scheduled for 4 p.m. ET on ESPN.