Virginia Tech’s Caleb Farley opts out of 2020 football season, cites health concerns
BLACKSBURG, Va. (BVM) — The Virginia Tech Hokies football team will be without one of their top playmakers for the 2020 season. With the NCAA still working its way through regulations and safety precautions for COVID-19, Hokies’ senior cornerback Caleb Farley has decided not to put his or his loved ones’ health at risk.
“After much consideration with my family I have decided to opt out of the 2020 college football season and to begin preparing for the 2021 NFL Draft,” Farley said in a video posted on his Instagram on July 29. “I am opting out due to uncertain health conditions and regulations and all the other opt outs going on in football right now.”
https://www.instagram.com/p/CDPSIm3HLcV/
Farley, who lost his mother Robin to breast cancer in 2018, mentioned the fact that losing another loved one due to the virus had an impact in his decision.
“I tragically lost my mother Robin on Jan. 2, 2018 to an illness and I cannot afford to lose another parent or loved one,” Farley said in the video.
Farley would finish the video thanking Virginia Tech, the coaching staff, his teammates and all others for their support while also wishing them best and hoping they stay safe. Though Farley admitted he still wants to play this season, he knew the decision was the right choice.
“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 said.
Farley, a 6-foot-2, 207-pound cornerback for the Hokies, has been projected as a potential first round pick in the 2021 draft. Farley is ranked as the No. 1 corner in the 2021 Draft by Pro Football Focus. Last season, Farley had four interceptions and led the Atlantic Coast Conference with 16 passes defended enroute to a first team All-ACC selection.
Caleb Farley ranks as CB1 on my early season rankings.
👀
— Matt Miller (@nfldraftscout) July 29, 2020
Virginia Tech did not immediately respond to Farley’s decision. Last year, the Hokies finished the season 8-5 and lost to the University of Kentucky in the Belk Bowl.
Though not many high-level draft prospects have made the decision to opt out of the season, there is speculation that Farley’s decision will trigger a response from prospects across the NCAA. With a number of opt outs already happening in the NFL and even at the high school level, many feel it is only a matter of time before more high-profile opt outs occur.
Whoa!! @IamCalebFarley is a monster for V Tech. He’s opting out of this college season & this to me is bigger than any of the NFL opt outs. Dudes a first rounder, & not only protecting his health but his money. Wonder if we’ll see more of this
— Ryan Clark (@Realrclark25) July 29, 2020
