Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, some college football players may opt out of the season
The COVID-19 pandemic is going to have a major impact on the 2020 college football season. As a result of the uncertainty surrounding the season, amount of games likely to be played, along with health risks associated with COVID-19, some players may choose to opt out for the 2020 season. The list of players opting out could grow into August and Athlon Sports will track these announcements by players throughout the offseason. As of Tuesday, Sept. 14, 151 players have opted out of games for the upcoming year. Some of the players that opted out include preseason All-America picks in Penn State linebacker Micah Parsons, Virginia Tech cornerback Caleb Farley and Purdue receiver Rondale Moore.
College Football Players Opting Out 2020 of Season
ACC
Duke
LB Brandon Hill
Hill's decision to opt out of the 2020 season is a big loss for Duke's defense. The senior was set to start at linebacker for the Blue Devils this fall.
OL Jacob Rimmer
Rimmer opted out of the 2020 college football season on Friday, Aug. 7. Rimmer did not play in 2019.
LS Ben Wyatt
Wyatt opted out of the 2020 college football season on Friday, Aug. 7. The North Carolina native was the team's long snapper on punts in 2019.
Florida State
DL Dennis Briggs
Briggs opted out of the season on Tuesday, Aug. 11. The Florida native played in 13 contests and recorded 28 tackles for the Seminoles in 2019.
DE Jamarcus Chatman
Chatman opted out of the upcoming college football season on Friday, Aug. 7. The Georgia native played in four games with the Seminoles in 2019.
Miami
OL Kai-Leon Herbert
Herbert played in 10 games for the Hurricanes in 2019 and chose to opt out for the '20 season.
OL Zalon'tae Hillery
Hillery's decision to opt out of the 2020 season was revealed prior to the game against UAB. The Georgia native played in 13 games for the 'Canes in 2019.
DE Gregory Rousseau
Rousseau informed coach Manny Diaz on Thursday, Aug. 6 he will opt out of the 2020 college football season. The Florida native was an Athlon Sports first-team All-American for 2020. Rousseau recorded 15.5 sacks and 19.5 tackles for a loss in 2019. He will likely be one of the first defensive players off the board in the 2021 NFL Draft.
North Carolina
S D.J. Ford
Ford opted out of the 2020 college football season on Friday, Aug. 7. The Alabama native was a projected starter at safety after playing in 13 contests and recording 54 stops in 2019.
OL Triston Miller
According to the News & Observer, Miller has opted out of the 2020 season due to family reasons. The Charlotte native took a redshirt year last fall and was expected to push for time in the two-deep.
OL Billy Ross
Ross opted out of the season on Wednesday, Aug. 26. He appeared in 20 games for the Tar Heels over the last two years. Ross plans to transfer to a new program.
DB Javon Terry
Terry opted out of the 2020 season on Friday, Aug. 7. The North Carolina native played in all 13 games for the Tar Heels in 2019 and recorded four tackles.
CB Bryce Watts
Watts opted out of the 2020 college football season on Friday, Aug. 7. The Virginia Tech transfer was slated to play a key role in North Carolina's secondary this fall.
Pitt
DL Jaylen Twyman
Twyman announced he would opt out of the season on Saturday, Aug. 8. Twyman was one of the top defensive linemen in college football for 2020 and was an Athlon Sports second-team All-American. Twyman played in 13 contests for the Panthers and recorded 41 tackles and 10.5 sacks last year.
Syracuse
RB Abdul Adams
The Athletic reported on Tuesday, Sept. 8 Adams would opt out of the 2020 season. The Oklahoma transfer ran for 336 yards and three touchdowns in 2019.
DL Cooper Dawson
Dawson tweeted his intention to opt out of the 2020 college football season on Thursday, Aug. 6. The South Carolina native redshirted in his first year on campus last fall.
RB Jarveon Howard
The Athletic reported on Tuesday, Sept. 8 Howard would opt out of the season. He ranked second on the team with 337 rushing yards in 2019.
Virginia
DB Tenyeh Dixon
Dixon opted out of the season on Thursday, Sept. 3. He played in nine games and recorded three tackles for the Cavaliers in 2019.
DL Aaron Faumui
Faumui opted out of the season on Thursday, Sept. 3.The Hawaii native was a projected starter after recording 33 tackles (eight for a loss) in 14 games last fall.
WR Dorien Goddard
Goddard opted out of the season on Thursday, Sept. 3. He played in four games for the Cavaliers in 2019.
RB Mike Hollins
Hollins opted out of the 2020 season on Friday, Aug. 21. He was slated to push for the starting running back job for the Cavaliers after recording 112 yards and three touchdowns on 21 carries last fall.
Virginia Tech
CB Caleb Farley
Farley ranked among the nation's top cornerbacks and was an Athlon Sports third-team All-American for the 2020 season. According to Pro Football Focus, opposing quarterbacks had a 26.8 passer rating when targeting receivers on Farley's side in 2019. Farley is expected to be one of the top cornerbacks off the board in the 2021 NFL Draft.
Wake Forest
WR Sage Surratt
Surratt opted out of the 2020 season on Wednesday, Aug. 19 and will begin preparing for the 2021 NFL Draft. Surratt was expected to be one of the top receivers in the ACC after catching 66 passes for 1,001 yards and 11 scores in nine games in 2019.
American
Houston
DL Sedrick Williams
Williams was a member of Houston's 2020 recruiting class, and chose to opt out of the upcoming college football season on Saturday, Aug. 8.
Memphis
WR Coye' Fairman
Fairman opted out of the 2020 season on Saturday, Sept. 12. He caught one pass from 2019-20 with the Tigers.
RB Kenneth Gainwell
Gainwell opted out of the 2020 season on Sunday, Aug. 30. The redshirt sophomore finished ninth nationally in all purpose yards per game (147.8) in 2019. Gainwell plans to enter the 2021 NFL Draft.
LB Tim Hart
Hart opted out of the season on Monday, Sept. 14. He played in 42 games and recorded 157 tackles from 2017-20.
Navy
SB Keoni-Kordell Makekau
Kordell-Makekau opted out of the season on Friday, Aug. 28. The senior was slated to play a key role at slotback for Navy in 2020 after running for 212 yards last fall.
SMU
DB Eric Sutton
Sutton opted out of the 2020 season on Monday, Aug. 24. The Texas native played in 37 games and recorded 45 tackles from 2016-19 with the Mustangs. He plans to transfer to a new program for the 2021 season.
DL Mike Williams
Williams - a transfer from Stanford - opted out of the season on Saturday, Aug. 22. He started all 12 games for the Cardinal in 2019 and was slated to play a key role in the trenches for SMU in '20.
Temple
DB Ty Mason
Temple coach Rod Carey indicated Mason opted out of the season on Tuesday, Sept. 1. The Maryland native played in 25 games from 2018-19.
Tulsa
OL X'Zauvea Gadlin
Gadlin opted out of the 2020 season on Tuesday, Sept. 1. The sophomore was projected to start at left guard this fall.
UCF
OL Allan Adams
Adams opted out of the season on Tuesday, Sept. 1. He took a redshirt year last fall and did not see any game action.
DB Elijah Benoit
Benoit opted out of the season on Tuesday, Sept. 1. He played in eight games and recorded three tackles.
OL Lamarius Benson
Benson opted out of the season on Tuesday, Sept. 1. He played in nine games for the Knights in 2019.
DL Mason Cholewa
Cholewa opted out of the 2020 season on Tuesday, Sept. 1. He played in 11 games and registered 11 tackles in 2019.
DL Kalia Davis
Davis opted out of the 2020 season on Tuesday, Sept. 1. The junior was a projected starter at defensive tackle.
DB Devunte Dawson
Dawson opted out on Thursday, Aug. 13. The Texas native signed with UCF as a member of the 2020 recruiting class.
CB Tay Gowan
Gowan's decision to opt out of the 2020 season is a big loss for UCF's defense. The senior was one of the top cornerbacks in the AAC.
QB Darriel Mack
Mack was slated to work as the backup to Dillon Gabriel at quarterback. He opted out of the season on Tuesday, Sept. 1.
OL Adrian Medley
Medley played in one contest for the Knights in 2019. He opted out of the season on Tuesday, Sept. 1.
DL Kendrick Wilson
Wilson is an incoming freshman for the 2020 season. He opted out of the season on Tuesday, Sept. 1.
USF
RB Josh Berry
Berry decided to opt out of the 2020 college football season on Thursday, Aug. 13. The Florida native took a redshirt year last fall.
DB Eugene Bowman
Bowman opted out of the season on Thursday, Aug. 13. The Florida native played in 11 games and recorded 11 tackles for the Bulls last fall.
LB Devin Gil
Gil opted out of the season on Thursday, Aug. 13. The Michigan transfer was slated to play a key role at linebacker for the Bulls this year.
WR Eddie McDoom
McDoom opted out on Thursday, Aug. 13. After catching 13 passes in 2019 with the Bulls, the Michigan transfer was slated to be a key cog at receiver in '20.
TE/DE Thomas Nance (Opted back in on Tuesday, Aug. 25)
Nance opted out on Thursday, Aug. 13. The Florida native played in one game for the Bulls in 2019.
WR Jernard Phillips
Phillips opted out of the 2020 college football season on Friday, Aug. 7. He's played in 28 games over the last three years and tallied 20 receptions in that span.
DL John Waller
Waller opted out of the 2020 college football season on Friday, Aug. 7. The Florida native played in five games and recorded two tackles last season.
Big 12
Kansas
OL Antione Frazier
Frazier opted out of the 2020 season on Wednesday, Aug. 26 and plans to transfer from Kansas. The senior played in 12 contests for the Jayhawks last fall and was slated to play a key role in the trenches this season.
Kansas State
S Jonathan Alexander
Alexander announced on Friday, Aug. 7 he would opt out of the 2020 college football season. The Texas native played in 12 games and recorded 25 tackles for the Wildcats in 2019. He was slated to start for Kansas State in '20.
Oklahoma
RB Kennedy Brooks
The Athletic reported on Sunday, Aug. 16 Brooks would opt out of the 2020 season. The Texas native was one of the Big 12's top returning players on offense after beginning his career in Norman with back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons.
DL Jalen Redmond
Redmond opted out of the season on Tuesday, Sept. 8. The sophomore was headed for a major role in the trenches for Oklahoma this year after recording 11 tackles for a loss in 2019.
Texas
DL Marqez Bimage
Bimage opted out on Wednesday, Aug. 12. The Texas native was slated to play a key role in the trenches for the Longhorns in 2020. He played in 13 contests and recorded 12 stops in 2019.
OL Willie Tyler
Tyler opted out of the 2020 season on Wednesday, Aug. 19. The Wisconsin native took a redshirt year in 2019 after arriving in Austin from the JUCO ranks.
RB Daniel Young
Young opted out of the 2020 season on Wednesday, Aug. 12. The Houston native rushed for 589 yards and five touchdowns over 139 career attempts from 2017-19.
Texas Tech
DB Dequanteous Watts
Watts opted out of the season on Tuesday, Sept. 8. The Georgia native took a redshirt year and did not play in 2019.
West Virginia
S Kerry Martin
Martin tweeted on Wednesday, Aug. 5 his intention to opt out of the 2020 college football season. Martin was expected to play a key role in West Virginia's secondary this fall and was a projected starter. The West Virginia native played in 12 games and recorded 50 tackles as a freshman in 2019.
Big Ten
Illinois
RB Ra'Von Bonner
According to the Chicago Tribune, Bonner is sitting out the 2020 season due to concerns about the COVID-19 pandemic. “Playing football, I feel we’re more at risk with the amount of guys we have," Bonner told the Tribune. "In football you have to touch someone else. You can spread that to family members. That’s not what I want. I don’t want to not see my family, my sister, my girlfriend.” Bonner hopes to return to the team in 2021.
Maryland
DL Jalen Alexander
Alexander was one of six Terrapins that chose to opt out for the 2020 college football season on Friday, Aug. 7. The Virginia native made one tackle in six appearances in 2019.
DB Vincent Flythe
Flythe chose to opt out of the 2020 college football season on Friday, Aug. 7. He played in eight games as a redshirt freshman in 2019 and recorded three tackles.
OL Austin Fontaine
Maryland coach Mike Locksley indicated Fontaine would opt out of the 2020 college football season on Friday, Aug. 7. Fontaine played in 12 games as a redshirt freshman in 2019 and was expected to play a key role in the trenches this fall.
QB Josh Jackson
Maryland coach Mike Locksley indicated on Friday, Aug. 7 that Jackson would opt out of the 2020 college football season. The Virginia Tech transfer was projected to start at quarterback for the Terrapins this fall.
OL Johnny Jordan
Jordan was one of six Maryland players coach Mike Locksley indicated on Friday, Aug. 7 would opt out of the 2020 college football season. Jordan started six games for the Terrapins in 2019 and was projected to start in '20.
LB TJ Kautai
Kautai was an incoming JUCO recruit who opted out on Friday, Aug. 7. The Texas native played at Independence Community College and recorded 32 stops in 2019.
Michigan
OL Jalen Mayfield
Mayfield entered the NFL Draft on Tuesday, Aug. 18, so the standout tackle won't play in the spring if the Big Ten is able to play a season.
CB Ambry Thomas
Thomas was projected to be one of the top cornerbacks in the Big Ten for 2020. However, with Michigan not playing this fall, Thomas has decided to move on to the NFL. If the Wolverines play this spring, Thomas won't be suiting up for coach Jim Harbaugh's defense.
RB Chris Turner
Turner opted out of the season on Tuesday, Aug. 11. The Georgia native ran for 171 yards and a touchdown on 44 carries in 2019.
Michigan State
LB Marcel Lewis
Lewis opted out of the 2020 season on Saturday, Aug. 8. He played in three games as a freshman in 2019 and was slated to push for a spot on the two-deep in '20.
DE Jacub Panasiuk
Panasiuk tweeted his intention to opt out of the 2020 college football season on Wednesday, Aug. 5. The Illinois native was one of the top returning defensive ends in the Big Ten after recording 11 tackles for a loss and five sacks in 2019. Panasiuk intends to redshirt 2020 and return to the team for '21.
OL Jordan Reid
Reid tweeted he will opt out of the 2020 college football season on Friday, Aug. 7. The Michigan native started 13 games for the Spartans in 2019 and has played in 39 overall contests. He will redshirt and return to the team in 2021.
OL Justin Stevens
Stevens was a member of the 2020 recruiting class for Michigan State and chose to opt out on Saturday, Aug. 8.
Minnesota
WR Rashod Bateman
On Tuesday, Aug. 4, Bateman announced via Twitter his intention to opt out of the 2020 college football season and begin preparing for the NFL Draft. The Georgia native was a first-team All-Big Ten selection and a second-team All-American by Athlon Sports for 2020. Bateman caught 60 passes for 1,219 yards and 11 touchdowns last year.
Northwestern
OL Rashawn Slater
Slater opted out of the 2020 college football season on Thursday, Aug. 20. The Texas native is one of the top offensive tackles in the nation and will begin preparing for the 2021 NFL Draft.
Ohio State
OL Wyatt Davis
Davis opted out of the 2020 season to prepare for the NFL on Friday, Sept. 11. He was a first-team All-American by Athlon Sports for 2020 and is a projected first-round pick in the '21 NFL Draft.
CB Shaun Wade
Wade opted out of the 2020 season on Monday, Sept. 14. The junior was a preseason All-American by Athlon Sports and was the lone returning starter in the secondary for the Buckeyes.
Penn State
LB Micah Parsons
According to Yahoo Sports and Lions247, Parsons has decided to opt out of the 2020 season. Over the last two seasons, Parsons has emerged as one of college football's top defenders and was a first-team All-American by Athlon Sports for 2020. In 13 games last season, Parsons recorded 109 tackles (14 for a loss) and five sacks. He's expected to be one of the first defenders off the board in the 2021 NFL Draft.
Purdue
WR Rondale Moore
Moore was one of the nation's top all-around players and an Athlon Sports first-team All-American for 2020. He caught 114 passes as a freshman in 2018 but was limited to 29 in four contests as a sophomore in '19. The Indiana native decided to opt out of the 2020 season on Thursday, Aug. 6.
Rutgers
WR Everett Wormley
Wormley opted out of the 2020 college football season on Saturday, Aug. 8. The New Jersey native caught five passes in 23 games with the Scarlet Knights.
Conference USA
FAU
DB Quran Hafiz
Hafiz opted out of the season on Saturday, Aug. 8. The Jacksonville native played a key role in FAU's secondary over the last three years and recorded 33 stops over 14 games in 2019.
MTSU
WR Tyrese Johnson
Johnson opted out of the season on Tuesday, Aug. 25. He played in all 12 games for the Blue Raiders in 2019 and caught three passes.
RB Martell Pettaway
Pettway opted out of the season on Tuesday, Aug. 25. The West Virginia transfer was projected to push for the starting job in MTSU's backfield in 2020.
RB Amir Rasul
Rasul opted out of the 2020 season on Tuesday, Aug. 25. The Florida State transfer was expected to push for playing time in MTSU's backfield this fall.
North Texas
DL Joe Ozowgwu
Ozowgu opted out of the season in early September and has decided to transfer to a new program for 2021.
Southern Miss
WR Jaylond Adams
Adams opted out of the 2020 season on Monday, Aug. 17. The Alabama native is a dynamic playmaker on special teams, recording three kicks for touchdowns and averaging 26.1 yards on kickoff returns.
RB Steven Anderson
Anderson opted out of the 2020 season on Tuesday, Aug. 18. The Florida native has rushed for 513 yards over the last two years.
LB Racheem Boothe
Boothe opted out of the 2020 season on Monday, Aug. 17. The Mississippi native has been a key cog in the Southern Miss defense over the last three years and recorded 49 stops in nine games last fall. He plans to transfer to a new school for 2021.
DL Garrett Crawford
Crawford opted out of the 2020 season on Wednesday, Aug. 19. He plans to transfer to another program for the '21 football year.
DL Jacques Turner
Turner opted out of the season on Monday, Aug. 17. The Mississippi native was one of the top defenders for Southern Miss last season, recording 13 tackles for a loss and 5.5 sacks. Turner plans to transfer to another program for the 2021 season.
UAB
WR Xavier Coleman
Coleman opted out of the season prior to the opener against Central Arkansas.
WR Kevin Davis
Davis caught three passes for 32 yards in 2019 but opted out prior to the opener.
RB DaQuon Godfrey
Godfrey tweeted on Tuesday, Aug. 4 his intention to opt out of the 2020 season. The Alabama native played in two games for the Blazers in 2019.
S Kobe Griffin
Griffin was projected to push for a role in UAB's defensive two-deep for 2020 but decided to opt out this summer.
WR Markus Grossman
Grossman was projected to play a key role in UAB's receiving corps, but reports in early September indicated he opted out of the season.
LS Barton Hicks
Reports in early September indicated Hicks opted out of the 2020 season.
OL Patrick Nuss
Reports in early September indicated Nuss opted out of the season. He was slated to be a junior in 2020.
UTEP
QB TJ Goodwin
Goodwin was competing with Gavin Hardison for UTEP's starting quarterback job but opted out of the 2020 season on Sunday, Aug. 23.
RB Quardraiz Wadley
Wadley opted out of the season on Monday, Sept. 7. The Texas native missed 2019 due to injury but was slated to handle a good chunk of the carries for UTEP in 2020.
Independents
Liberty
DL Elisha Mitchell
Mitchell opted out of the season on Monday, Sept. 7. He played in 11 games and registered nine tackles for the Flames in 2019.
S Isaac Steele
Steele opted out of the season on Monday, Sept. 7. He played in nine games and recorded 24 tackles last season.
New Mexico State
LB Rashie Hodge
Hodge was slated to be one of the top defenders for New Mexico State in 2020. However, the standout linebacker opted out of the season on Friday, Aug. 7. Hodge recorded 90 tackles (10 for a loss) in 2019.
DL Myles Vigne
Vigne opted out of the 2020 college football season on Friday, Aug. 7. Vigne has played in 36 career games with the Aggies and recorded 69 tackles and three sacks over that span.
DL Jomaious Williams
Williams decided in late July to opt out of the 2020 college football season. He accumulated six tackles (1.5 for a loss) in six appearances with New Mexico State in 2019.
UMass
WR Zak Simon
Simon tweeted on Sunday, Aug. 9 that he would opt out of the upcoming season. He led the team with 32 catches in 2019.
MAC
Miami (Ohio)
OL Tommy Doyle
Doyle opted out of a potential spring season in the MAC on Wednesday, Aug. 26 and will begin preparing for the 2021 NFL Draft. Doyle was a first-team All-MAC selection by Athlon Sports for 2020.
OL Danny Godlevske
Godlevske opted out of a potential spring season in the MAC on Friday, Aug. 28. The Indiana native was one of the MAC's top returning linemen for the 2020 season and plans to enter the '21 NFL Draft.
CB Emmanuel Rugamba
Rugamba was expected to be one of the MAC's top cornerbacks for 2020, but with the uncertainty surrounding a spring season, the cornerback decided to enter the NFL Draft on Sunday, Aug. 23.
Mountain West
Colorado State
WR Warren Jackson
Colorado State canceled its 2020 fall slate, but the program could play in the spring if the Mountain West is able to set up a season. Jackson was the Mountain West's top returning receiver after catching 77 passes for 1,119 yards and eight touchdowns last fall. Jackson opted to enter the NFL Draft on Sunday, Aug. 16.
Pac-12
Arizona
QB Kevin Doyle
Doyle tweeted on Aug. 1 his intention to opt out of the 2020 season. The Washington D.C. native took a redshirt year in 2018 and did not appear in any games with the Wildcats in 2019.
California
CB Cam Bynum
Bynum opted out of a potential Pac-12 spring season on Sunday, Sept. 6. The senior ranked among the Pac-12's top cornerbacks for 2020 and will begin preparing for the '21 NFL Draft.
Oregon
CB Thomas Graham
Graham was projected to be one of the top defensive backs in college football for 2020. On Sept. 10, Graham opted out of a Pac-12 spring season and will begin preparing for the NFL Draft.
CB Deommodore Lenoir
Lenoir oped out of a potential spring season and declared for the 2021 NFL Draft on Wednesday, Sept. 9. Lenoir was projected among the top cornerbacks in the Pac-12 this fall.
OL Penei Sewell
Sewell opted out of a potential spring season and declared for the 2021 NFL Draft on Monday, Sept. 7. Sewell was college football's top offensive lineman for the 2020 season and a projected first-team All-American by Athlon Sports.
Stanford
OL Walker Little
Little opted out of a potential spring season in the Pac-12 on Thursday, Sept. 10. The junior was a second-team All-Pac-12 selection for 2020 by Athlon Sports. He intends to enter the 2021 NFL Draft.
USC
DL Jay Tufele
Tufele opted out of a 2020 college football season on Wednesday, Aug. 19. The Pac-12 canceled its fall slate but was considering a spring schedule. Tufele is expected to be one of the first defensive lineman off the board in the 2021 NFL Draft.
OL Alijah Vera-Tucker
Vera-Tucker opted out of a potential spring season on Wednesday, Sept. 9 and plans to enter the 2021 NFL Draft. The junior was a preseason All-American by Athlon Sports and projected to start at left tackle.
Washington
LB Joe Tryon
Tryon declared for the NFL Draft on Saturday, Aug. 29 and won't play in a potential spring season for the Pac-12. The Washington native was one of the Pac-12's top pass rushers last season, recording 8.5 sacks and 12.5 tackles for a loss.
Washington State
WR Kassidy Woods
According to the Spokesman-Review, Woods will opt out of the 2020 season due to health concerns amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The Texas native played in four games during a redshirt year in 2018 and caught six passes over 12 appearances in 2019.
DB Pat Nunn
According to the Spokesman-Review's Theo Lawson, Nunn has decided to opt out of the 2020 season. The California native played in 12 games and collected 10 tackles for the Cougars in 2019.
SEC
Arkansas
WR Shamar Nash
Nash opted out of the season on Tuesday, Sept. 1. The Tennessee native did not play as a redshirt freshman in 2019.
OL Chibueze Nwanna
Nwanna opted out of the season on Tuesday, Sept. 1. The Maryland native did not participate in a game in 2019.
Auburn
DB Traivon Leonard
Leonard opted out of the season on Friday, Aug. 7. The Florida native played in two games as a reserve in 2018-19 and was slated for a similar role in '20.
LB Josh Marsh
Marsh opted out of the 2020 season on Friday, Aug. 21. The Alabama native has recorded three tackles over the last two years.
LB Chandler Wooten
Wooten tweeted on Thursday, Aug. 6 his intention to opt out of the 2020 college football season. The Georgia native played in 30 career games from 2017-19 and recorded 27 tackles as a junior in '19. He will take a redshirt year and return to the team in 2021.
Georgia
QB Jamie Newman
Newman opted out of the 2020 season on Wednesday, Sept. 2. The senior was expected to win the starting job and rank among the SEC's top quarterbacks. He's expected to enter the 2021 NFL Draft.
LSU
WR Ja'Marr Chase
Chase opted out of the 2020 season on Sunday, Aug. 30. The Louisiana native was college football's top returning receiver coming into the year after catching 84 passes for 1,780 yards and 20 touchdowns last fall.
DL Neil Farrell (Opted back in on Monday, Sept. 14)
Farrell opted out of the season on Saturday, Aug. 8. The Alabama native played in 15 contests and recorded 46 tackles for the Tigers in 2019. He was slated to be a key cog in the defensive front for 2020.
DL Nelson Jenkins
Jenkins opted out of the 2020 season on Tuesday, Sept. 15. He did not play in a game for the Tigers in 2019.
DL Tyler Shelvin
Shelvin opted out of the 2020 season on Monday, Aug. 31. The junior ranked as one of the SEC's top defensive linemen for 2020 and was a projected preseason All-American by Athlon Sports. Shelvin is planning to enter the 2021 NFL Draft.
DB Kary Vincent
Vincent opted out of the 2020 season on Monday, Aug. 17. The Texas native recorded 40 tackles as a sophomore in 2018 and was LSU's top nickel back in '19 with appearances in 14 contests. Vincent will begin preparing for the 2021 NFL Draft.
Mississippi State
DB Taury Dixon
Dixon opted out of the season on Monday, Aug. 24. The Mississippi native has played in 15 games for the Bulldogs over the last two years.
DB Javorrius Selmon
Selmon opted out of the season in early September. The Mississippi native was a three-star recruit in the Bulldogs' 2020 signing class.
CB Tyler Williams
Williams opted out of the 2020 season on Friday, Aug. 21. The Mississippi native was slated to play a key role at cornerback for the Bulldogs in 2020. He played in 10 contests and recorded 23 tackles in '19.
Ole Miss
C Eli Johnson
Johnson opted out of the 2020 season on Sunday, Aug. 17. The senior was slated to start at center for the Rebels this fall.
South Carolina
WR Randrecous Davis
Davis opted out on Thursday, Sept. 3. The Georgia native did not play in 2019 due to injuries but caught 12 passes from 2016-18.
OL Mark Fox
According to GamecockCentral.com, Fox will opt out of the 2020 season. The Miami native was slated to be a redshirt freshman this fall.
OL Jordan Rhodes (Opted back in on Thursday, Sept. 3)
According to GamecockCentral.com, Rhodes has decided to opt out of the 2020 college football season. Rhodes started 10 games for South Carolina in 2019 and was projected to play a key role in the trenches this fall.
WR OrTre Smith
Smith opted out on Thursday, Sept. 3. He caught nine passes for 69 yards and a touchdown in 2019.
Texas A&M
WR Jhamon Ausbon
Ausbon chose to opt out of the 2020 season and begin preparing for the '21 NFL Draft on Sunday, Sept. 13. The senior was expected to be the No. 1 receiver for the Aggies this fall.
DB Elijah Blades
Blades opted out of the 2020 season on Tuesday, Sept. 1. The California native arrived in College Station in 2019 from the JUCO ranks and started six games for the Aggies. He plans to return to the team in 2021.
QB James Foster
Foster opted out of the 2020 season on Tuesday, Aug. 18. The Alabama native played in four games as a freshman for the Aggies in 2019.
DB Derrick Tucker
Tucker opted out on Tuesday, Sept. 1. The Texas native played in 25 games from 2017-19.
Vanderbilt
OL Bryce Bailey
Bailey opted out of the 2020 season on Saturday, Aug. 15. He played in 12 games and made two starts for the Commodores in 2019.
OL Cole Clemens
Clemens opted out on Saturday, Aug. 15. The Utah native has been a key cog in Vanderbilt's offensive line over the last two years, recording 22 overall appearances in that span.
K Oren Milstein
Milstein tweeted on Monday, Aug. 3 his intention to opt out of the 2020 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Milstein was a transfer from Columbia expected to push for time as the team's starting kicker in 2020.
LB Dimitri Moore (Opted back in on Tuesday, Aug. 25)
Moore opted out of the season on Saturday, Aug. 15. The senior was projected to be one of the top defenders for the Commodores in 2020. He led the defense with 99 tackles last year. Moore opted to return to the team on Tuesday, Aug. 25. His return is good news for a Vanderbilt team looking to improve after a 3-9 mark in 2019.
OL Stephen Spanellis
Spanellis opted out on Tuesday, Sept. 1. The Michigan transfer was slated to push for a starting role for the Commodores in 2020.
OL Jonathan Stewart
Stewart opted out of the 2020 season on Saturday, Aug. 15. He played in 10 games and made three starts for Vanderbilt last year.
Sun Belt
Appalachian State
RB Raykwon Anderson
Anderson opted out of the season on Monday, Sept. 7. He ran for 223 yards and three touchdowns last season.
QB David Baldwin-Griffin
Baldwin-Griffin opted out of the season on Monday, Sept. 7. He did not play a snap as a redshirt freshman in 2019.
WR Corey Sutton
Sutton opted out of the season on Tuesday, Sept. 1. Before suffering a season-ending knee injury in 2019, Sutton caught 41 passes for 601 yards and seven touchdowns. He plans to return to the team in 2021.
South Alabama
QB Tylan Morton
Morton was slated to be South Alabama's No. 3 quarterback in 2020 but opted out of the season due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
ULM
WR Brandius Batiste
Batiste opted out of the season on Monday, Sept. 7. He was projected to make an impact on the ULM receiving corps after catching seven passes for 112 yards in 2019.
DL Edward Haralson
Haralson opted out on Monday, Sept. 7. He was slated to compete for time at defensive tackle for 2020.
LB Rashaad Harding
Harding tweeted on Sunday, Aug. 9 his intention to opt out of the 2020 season. The Louisiana native tallied 60 tackles for the Warhawks in 2019 and plans to return to the team in 2021.
