Iowa All-American Opts Out of Music City Bowl

Kentucky Wildcats aren’t the only ones bypassing the Music City Bowl. One of the most talented players on the top five Iowa defense will opt-out of the New Year’s Eve bowl game.

Iowa safety Kaevon Merriweather shared on social media Saturday afternoon that he will forego the Music City Bowl to prepare for the 2023 NFL Draft.

“Dear Hawkeye Nation: It is with a bowed head and humble heart that I come to inform you that after careful consideration and thoughtful conversations with my family, I have decided to forego the Music City Bowl game to begin preparing for the 2023 NFL Draft,” Merriweather’s statement said. “Thank you for all the love and support you have shown me the last five years. It will never be forgotten.”

Proverbs 3:5-6 – “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” pic.twitter.com/lEF6cWvTuT

— Kaevon Merriweather (@Kaevon02) December 17, 2022

Merriweather is a second team All-American selection by the both the AP and Sporting News. A two-year starter, this fall the Iowa safety had 47 tackles, three interceptions and a scoop-and-score defensive touchdown. Iowa’s other All-American on defense, linebacker Jack Campbell, is still slated to play against the Wildcats.

The Music City Bowl is missing a considerable amount of star power. Neither team will have its starting quarterback. Spencer Petras suffered a season-ending injury and Alex Padilla entered he transfer portal, while Will Levis opted out of the bowl game. Chris Rodriguez and Carrington Valentine will also miss the game for the Wildcats.

Don’t be Deterred by Bowl Opt-Outs

You can be the Old Man Who Yells at Clouds this bowl season — “Kids these days just don’t love the game” — or you can appreciate the entertainment on your television screen. The first weekend had a few flubs, namely Florida’s sad field goal the prevented a shutout in a 30-3 loss to Oregon State. But plenty of other bowl games have already produced ELECTRIC moments.

On fourth and 10, Jackson State threw a 19-yard touchdown pass with zeroes on the clock to force overtime in the Celebration Bowl. The Bahamas Bowl ended just like the Tennessee Titans’ Super Bowl appearance, with UAB tackling the Miami (OH) receiver just a few yards short of the goal line. Jon Sumrall orchestrated an improbable comeback in the Cure Bowl. Trailing by 12 in the first half, the Trojans forced five turnovers and had a goal line stand late in the fourth quarter to defeat UTSA 18-12, the C-USA Champs, and cap off the program’s first 12-win season as an FBS program. The Frisco Bowl had five third quarter lead changes in a three-point Boise State win. Frank Gore Jr. rushed for 329 yards and threw for a touchdown pass in Southern Miss’ LendingTree Bowl win. SMU almost overcame a 14-point fourth quarter deficit by scoring a touchdown with eight seconds on the clock in the New Mexico Bowl, but a two-point conversion failed, giving BYU a 24-23 victory.

Even though players are opting out and interim coaches are filling the sideline, bowl games are still fun. Enjoy them over the next three weeks.