Should Linderbaum opt out of bowl

[Hawkfnntn]

Well by deciding to do that he'd have decided on going pro. I don't think he's done that yet. Here's an interesting angle has any player sat out the bowl game and ended up coming back to college the next yr? I can't think of one (can't see why one would really)

He probably goes pro after the bowl. He should financially and risk wise. Nobody can say otherwise. I wouldn't be surprised if he doesn't though. The NFL mock draft folks already have him down for going and being a 1st rounder. But he might just pull a Scherffs or King and come back. I'd put the odds at like 10% or less I wouldn't go to Vegas and put any $ on it. But it shouldn't shock us all too much based on how he's spoke of this topic everytime it's came up. He's a local kid that just seems to love everything about being an Iowa Hawkeye college kid. So we'll see shortly after the bowl.

So to answer the Q should he or not. Yes if he's 100% decided upon going pro he and any player besides kickers should skip it. But since he hasn't decided and sincerely might come back then he's about gotta play.

 

[ChosenChildren]

If it's ok for a coach to leave prior to a bowl game on their own terms, then why shouldn't it be ok for a player to do the same? I'm not saying its a right or wrong decision, but it should be their decision to make.

Agree. It’s the players decision.
But if you start a season you should finish it if you can. If you start a job, finish it.

it is not ok for coaches to leave either.

 

[SmokeTownHawk]

If he wants to play the bowl game, it's certainly up to him. Same with coming back next year. He may be close to getting his degree, plus he's gonna get a nice draft spot if he declares. Just like a guy with the winning lotto ticket, it's all up to him how he spends it.

 

[HawkeyeWalker]

He's already said he'll play. I want him to play. I want all of them to play.

That said, i'd understand if he or any likely high level draft pick chose not to play. 1st round Guaranteed money is Forever money for his and his entire family and his entire future family.

Dude gave $30,000 of NIL money to Children Hospital. In my book, that guy can do whatever he wants. And apparently he wants to play. and i'm happy about it.

 

[scojo3]

I can't believe this is even a question...what has happened to the world we live in?

 

[dahlhawk]

Want him to play but Lordy, he is risking a lot of money. Powerball type money. This means he is Hawkeye royalty now and forever.

 

[Grady]

I wanted to say this was a dumb question, but most folks seem to think he should quit, so I guess its not. If he was my son, I would take out the biggest insurance policy I could get, but look my son in the eye and say you committed to your coaches and your teammates to play football this season and the season is not over. Money isn't everything. He could blow his knee prepping for the combine or get into a car wreck. Life is about collecting amazing experiences, and playing in your last collegiate bowl game on New Years Day is a great experience he will be able to share with his kids and grandkids.

In the end, and having played team sports, I cannot imagine abandoning my teammates because there is a small chance I might make a little bit less money in the future.

I guess it depends on what "a little less money in the future" means. The #10 draft pick in last year's NFL draft received a $12 million signing bonus, not including a rather hefty one-year salary of $3.5+ million. A number of years ago I think I read the most insurance a college player could get for 1 game was around $1 million. The difference is more than 'a little less money'. That's a boat-load less money, not to mention the potential loss of future earnings.
As a fan I support players who play in bowl games. I also support players who opt out.