List of college football players opting out of 2020 season

The 2020 college football season is on shaky ground due to the Covid-19 pandemic, and even before FBS conferences decide if they’ll play the season, players are opting out. We’ll be tracking news as players decide to opt out for the 2020 college football season.

Rashawn Slater, OT, Northwestern

Slater projects as a first-round pick, and will immediately start preparing for the Draft. Listed at 6’4, 315 lbs., the Preseason All-American, Outland Trophy watch list member, and highest-graded returning Big Ten offensive tackle according to Pro Football Focus started 11 games last season and didn’t allow one sack.

Rondale Moore, WR, Purdue

The Boilermakers lead wide receiver only played four games in 2019 before a hamstring injury cost him the rest of the season, but he’ll be one for the NFL Draft for sure. In his first two games before getting hurt, he had 24 catches for 344 yards against Nevada and Vanderbilt.

Greg Rousseau, DE, Miami

The Canes stud DE had 54 tackles and 15.5 sacks in 2019. He’ll be draft eligible after this season, so he might have played his last game in Coral Gables.

Rashod Bateman, WR, Minnesota

On Tuesday, August 4th, Minnesota wide receiver Rashod Bateman announced he is opting out of the season and will instead declare for the 2021 NFL Draft. He is currently the 19th ranked prospect on Todd McShay’s preseason rankings. The 6’2, 210 pound pass catcher finished the 2019 season with 60 catches, 1,219 receiving yards, and 11 touchdowns.

Caleb Farley, CB, Virginia Tech

This news follows word that Virginia Tech cornerback Caleb Farley is opting out and beginning preparations for the 2021 NFL Draft. He discussed his reasoning in a guest column for Peter King’s Football Morning In America. His concerns grew when he started taking part in workouts this offseason due to lack of testing or any consistent health and safety protocols. He is expected to be among the cornerbacks taken early in the draft.

Micah Parsons, OLB, Penn State

Parsons announced on Thursday, August 6th he will be opting out of the 2020 season and begin preparations for the 2021 NFL Draft. Mel Kiper ranks him as the No. 5 prospect in the 2021 draft class. He stands 6’3, 245 pounds, and in two seasons, he had 191 tackles, 19 for loss, 6.5 sacks, and six forced fumbles. He played defensive end in high school and linebacker in college, so there’s some flexibility there.

Ja’Marr Chase, WR, LSU

Chase will enter the 2021 NFL Draft, where Todd McShay has him listed fourth on his list of Top 50 pro prospects. Considering his upside financially, it’d be silly for him to try and play this season.

Tyler Shelvin, DT, LSU

Despite being draft eligible and announcing he was coming back anyway, Shevlin will leave Baton Rouge. Some mock drafts have him projected as a first-rounder, whereas others aren’t as high on his prospects. His huge frame at 346 lbs. will leave scouts drooling.