Syracuse, N.Y. -- One of West Virginia's most talented players will not play against Syracuse football in the Camping World Bowl.

Yodny Cajuste, the Mountaineers' All-Big 12 starting left tackle, has elected to rest up in anticipation of the 2019 NFL Draft process, he announced on Twitter.

I have decided to not play in the bowl game this year in order to go prepare for the next chapter in my life, thank you to my coaches nd all of mountaineer nation. Forever grateful — Yodny Cajuste (@YC_RICH4EVER) December 7, 2018

Cajuste, a 6-foot-5, 321-pound redshirt senior, becomes the first WVU player to declare he will skip the postseason, but he may not be the last. The West Virginia roster has a handful of projected professionals, perhaps none more prominent than quarterback Will Grier, and only wideout David Sills V has publicly committed to suiting up against the Orange.

But in a game that pits two high-powered offenses against each other, Cajuste's absence could be especially significant. Syracuse ranks 10th nationally with 38 sacks this season and features two of the most productive defensive ends in the Atlantic Coast Conference in juniors Alton Robinson and Kendall Coleman.

Cajuste's backup at left tackle is listed as Kelby Wickline, a 6-foot-4, 298-pound redshirt junior who has appeared in 23 games over his career, starting once in 2017.

The 20th-ranked Orange (9-3, 6-2 ACC) and 16th-ranked Mountaineers (8-3, 6-3 Big 12) are slated to kick off at 5:15 p.m. on Dec. 28 in Orlando, Fla. The game will be broadcast on ESPN.

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Stephen Bailey covers Syracuse football for The Post-Standard/Syracuse.com. You can follow him on Twitter and Facebook. He can also be reached anytime via email.