Virginia Tech CB, projected first-round pick opts out of 2020 season
While Virginia Tech cornerback Caleb Farley may not have been the first player in college football to opt out of playing during the 2020 season, he might be the first high-profile prospect to make that decision.
On Wednesday, Farley posted a video saying that he will not be playing college football this season due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Instead, the Virginia Tech CB has decided to focus his attention on training fro the NFL Draft.
“I am opting out due to uncertain health conditions and regulations and all the other opt-outs in football right now,” Farley said in a video on Instagram.
Farley’s mother died in 2018 of breast cancer.
“I cannot afford to lose another parent or loved one,” Farley said. “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.”
Farley was a First-Team All-ACC selection at the end of the 2019 season, finishing the year with 20 tackles, 12 pass break-ups, 4 interceptions and a pick-six. According to ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr., Farley is projected as a late first-round selection in the 2021 NFL Draft.
Illinois running back Ra’Von Bonner and offensive lineman Jake Cerny were the first players to openly state they were opting out of the 2020 college football season.
Here is former Virginia Tech CB Caleb Farley’a announcement that he is opting out of the college football season to train and turn pro, sent to ESPN: pic.twitter.com/5j4FmQvGKy
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) July 29, 2020