Virginia Tech CB Caleb Farley becomes first college player to opt out of 2020 season

Virginia Tech cornerback Caleb Farley has become the first college player to opt out of the 2020 season

Could this be the start of a trend for college football stars? We’ve seen numerous NFL players announce they’ll be sitting out the 2020 campaign due to the coronavirus. No news like that had hit the college ranks, until Wednesday that is.

Moments ago, star Virginia Tech cornerback Caleb Farley announced in an emotional video that he won’t be suiting up for the Hokies this campaign. Instead, he’s going to focus on training and getting himself ready for the 2021 NFL Draft, while also not putting his loved ones at risk.

Caleb Farley is widely considered a potential first-round draft pick for 2021

“After much consideration with my family, I’ve decided to opt out of the 2020 college football season and begin preparing for the 2021 NFL Draft,” Farley said in the video above. “I am opting out due to uncertain health conditions and regulations, and all the other opt outs going on in football right now.”

In his announcement, Farley went on to share that he lost his mother in January of 2018 due to an illness (breast cancer), and doesn’t want to put his dad or another loved one at risk of the coronavirus.

“Though the competitor in me badly wants to play this season, I cannot ignore what’s going on in my heart and I must make the decision that brings me the most peace,” he said.

Farley is considered an elite prospect and is projected as a first-round selection for the 2021 NFL Draft. Though he won’t be suiting up for the Hokies this season, he’ll start training for the draft and look to keep his stock up during the NFL Combine next spring.