Leonard Fournette begat Christian McCaffrey, and now the two of them have given permission for Baylor running back Shock Linwood to skip his bowl game, too.
Linwood made the announcement Tuesday that he join his team for the Motel 6 Cactus Bowl.
Baylor senior running back Shock Linwood has elected not to play in Cactus Bowl to focus on possible NFL career.
— John Werner (@JohnWernerTrib) December 20, 2016
There are differences between Fournette and McCaffrey’s decisions and Linwood’s. The first two are viewed as likely first-round picks. Linwood? Not exactly. Notice the “possible” in Waco Tribune-Herald writer John Werner’s tweet above.
Most importantly, Linwood is a senior that has fallen out of favor with the Bears’ coaching staff of late. Baylor’s leading rusher in 2014 and ’15, Linwood has ceded carries to sophomore Terence Williams down the stretch, totaling eight or fewer carries in three of his final four games.
On top of that, Baylor stumbled to a 6-6 finish, dipping from Fiesta, Cotton and Russell Athletic bowl appearances in Linwood’s first three seasons to the Cactus Bowl this season.
Still, it’s unlikely Linwood would opt out of his bowl game had Fournette and McCaffrey not done the same.
Linwood finishes his collegiate career with 699 carries for 4,166 yards and 79 touchdowns. A two-time All-Big 12 honoree, Linwood is Baylor’s all-time record holder in rushing yardage and touchdowns.
The remaining portion of Baylor’s roster will meet Boise State next Tuesday at 10:15 p.m. ET (ESPN).