According to Auburn coach Gus Malzahn, CB Carlton Davis sat out the Peach Bowl with an undisclosed illness.

However, some Tigers are telling a different story at this week’s Senior Bowl, saying it was more of his decision to sit out the loss to UCF.

Neither S Tray Matthews nor LB Tre’ Williams were overly thrilled with Davis’s decision, but both told AL.com that they understood what went into his choice:

“As first I got onto him.” Matthews said. “I was like, ‘hey man, what’s up? I need you. You’ve been my dawg the last three years and you’re going to leave me hanging like that?’ He explained to me a few things. That’s his decision. I got to respect it. He’s a first-round talent, so you know, that’s on him.”

Williams said he’d continue to root for Davis in the NFL, but reiterated that he wished Davis would have been on the field one last time with Auburn:

“I mean, it’s all his decision,” Williams said. “He’s an adult now. I wish he played just to have that extra body, but once again it’s his decision and I’m still going to root for him either way it goes.”

Sitting out bowl games is becoming more common these days, but it’s probably safe to say NFL coaches and scouts will ask him about that decision this week and during the NFL Combine.