Christian McCaffrey will skip Stanford's bowl to focus on NFL Draft

Published Dec. 19, 2016 2:23 p.m. ET

Aaron Torres

For the second time in four days, college football fans found out they will not see one of the sport's biggest names during bowl season.

Just days after LSU running back Leonard Fournette announced that he will skip the Citrus Bowl to focus on the NFL Draft, Christian McCaffrey made the same decision on Monday. With the news, it will bring an to the college career of one of the most dynamic players we've seen in recent history.

https://twitter.com/CMccaffrey5/status/810850259530301440

While there are plenty on social media, who are questioning the move on McCaffrey's part, it's hard to question the decision. The Cardinal entered the season with national championship expectations, but after finishing with a respectable 9-3 mark, they were relegated to the Sun Bowl, which is, in essence just an exhibition game.

For some who have first round NFL Draft potential like McCaffrey it simply isn't worth the injury risk to play in a game that is ultimately meaningless. Especially since McCaffrey already plays a dangerous position in running back and - like Fournette - dealt with injuries during this season.

McCaffrey actually broke Barry Sanders NCAA record for all-purpose yards with 3,864 last season, on his way to finishing second in the Heisman Trophy race. This season he rushed for over 1,600 yards and 21 touchdowns for the Cardinal.

Stanford will take on North Carolina in the Sun Bowl without McCaffrey on December 30th.