Texas A&M forced to opt out of Gator Bowl after COVID outbreak

The resurgence of COVID-19 has affected the entire nation, forcing the cancelation of sporting events left and right. Now, Texas A&M is seeing an abrupt end to their season, with an outbreak of COVID taking them out of the Gator Bowl.

“Due to a combination of COVID-19 issues within the program, as well as season-ending injuries, the Texas A&M football roster is not in a position to safely participate in the upcoming Dec. 31 TaxSlayer Gator Bowl against Wake Forest,” announced the school via Twitter.

Wrenches were thrown in the Aggies’ bowl plans earlier this week when Billy Liucci of TexAgs.com revealed multiple sources informed him Texas A&M shut down all operations since Saturday due to an outbreak of COVID-19. While Liucci added the outbreak is mainly among vaccinated players, he also stated certain position groups were “hit particularly hard.”

Afterwards, the team was meeting via Zoom to prepare for a Dec. 31 bowl appearance against Wake Forest. However, that’s all come to a crashing halt for the Aggies.

Now, Texas A&M will receive no closure for an uneven 2021 season that began with so much promise and included an upset over No. 1 Alabama. As for the Gator Bowl, the search is one for a replacement — but it could only happen if another team is forced to cancel.

Texas A&M: OL Kenyon Green declares for NFL Draft

Star Texas A&M offensive lineman Kenyon Green has officially declared for the NFL Draft, he announced via his Twitter account on Tuesday. Green, a former On3 Consensus five-star recruit and a top ten player in the 2019 cycle, is a potential first round NFL Draft pick.

“These years at Texas A&M University, and College Station, have possibly been the happiest of my life,” Green started. “I only have feelings of enormous gratitude for my team, for the sport of football, and for this town. I sincerely appreciate all the love and affection I have received. However, after careful consideration, prayer, and discussions with my family, I have decided that it is time to pursue my dream and declare for the 2022 NFL Draft. This has been one of the toughest decisions of my life, but I feel the time is right.

“None of this happens without God and my Faith in HIM! I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to Coach Fisher, Coach Henson, Coach Luce, Coach Grimes, Coach Mikado, and Coach Robinson. I love you guys, and I truly appreciate everything you all have done in shaping me into not only the football player, but also the person, that I am today.”

Green has been a starter since arriving at Texas A&M. This season, he started at multiple positions on the Aggies’ offensive line, including right tackle, left tackle, and left guard.

Green’s versatility and ability to play essentially every position on the offensive front will prove to be valuable for whichever team that selects him. Pro Football Focus projects Green to be selected 25th overall in their latest NFL mock.