Some leave, others ready to fight ahead of Gasparilla Bowl

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The Mizzou football team is one week out from playing Wake Forest in the Gasparilla Bowl, and the team is preparing to have some different lineups in Tampa.

With many players entering the transfer portal and others declaring for the NFL Draft, wide receiver Barrett Banister has spent the past few weeks fighting to get back from injury.

"I know it's important for me because you never know whenever it's going to end for you," Banister said. "I could go play for 10 more years, I could never play a snap of football. I know from personal experience that bowl games are a whole lot of fun and something that I'll treasure."

While they've had teammates leave the program and opt out of playing in the bowl, both defensive lineman Jayden Jernigan and defensive back Kris Abrams-Draine have made the announcements that they'll be returning to Mizzou next season.

"I got like third round draft grades, most people would've probably went, but that's not where I wanted to be at," Draine said. "It was the best thing for me to do to get my technique better for one more year."

"It's just all a mystery, you're going to find out who you have on your team probably the day before you play," Jernigan said.

While some players have decided that the Gasparilla Bowl will not be their last game at Mizzou, others aren't entirely sure what they're future looks like.

Defensive lineman Darius Robinson said he hasn't decided whether or not he will declare for the NFL Draft, but one thing he is certain about is he wants to beat Wake Forest.

"I've got a lot of great feedback and I've also got some feedback where you know I'm questioning things a little bit, but I think I'll have my decision right around after the bowl game," Robinson said. "I'm not in a rush. I'm just trying to have fun and find a way to win this game."

Mizzou will play against Wake Forest in the Gasparilla Bowl Friday, Dec. 23 at 5:30 p.m.