Concerns over pandemic, conference season moves to spring lead draftable talent to sit out

Ohio State junior defensive end Jaylen Twyman, a potential late first or early second round choice, is the latest underclassman to opt out of the 2020 season to prepare from the 2021 NFL draft. The 6-foot-2, 290 pounder had 10.5 sacks and made some All-American teams last season.

Top quarterbacks Trevor Lawrence (Clemson) and Justin Fields (Ohio State) say they are good to go for the 2020 season. Penn State linebacker Micah Parsons and Miami defensive end Greg Rousseau, both top 10 overall draft projections in 2021, say they will opt-out of 2020 and prepare for the 2021 NFL draft.

Several Division I conferences have or appear pointed toward moving their seasons to the spring. The Mid American has announced the plan to do so, becoming the first FBS conference to move from the fall. Big Ten commissioner Kevin Warren is talking spring as well. The Missouri Valley Conference appear set to join several FCS leagues with a move to the spring.

If the Big Ten moves, Fields may have to consider opting out. Other potential 1st round prospects North Dakota State quarterback Trey Lance and offensive tackle Dillon Radunz would be hard pressed to play and also prepare for the April NFL draft in the MVC moves their season.

A lot of college players electing not to play their 2020 college season could come despite current plans to play.

Auburn linebacker Chandler Wooten and Michigan State defensive end Jacub Panasiuk made decisions to redshirt and come back to play in 2021. Panasiuk (6-3, 245) had five sacks last fall.

In news unrelated to the pandemic, Florida Atlantic has suffered a big loss. Quarterback Chris Robison, a dark-horse Heisman candidate, was kicked off the team. He passed for 3700 yards and 28 touchdowns in leading the owls to the conference title last season. Robison has been suspended twice since his arrival at FAU in a college career derailed by off-the field problems.

Underclassmen opting out and declaring for the draft (with their projection):
Greg Rousseau, DE, Miami, RSO, Rd.-1
Micah Parsons, LB, Penn St., Jr., Rd.-1
Rashod Batman, WR, Minnesota, Jr., Rd.-1
Rondale Moore, WR, Purdue, RSO, Rd.- 1-2
Jaylen Teyman, DT, Pittsburgh, Jr., Rd.-1-2
Caleb Farley, CB, Virginia Tech, Jr., Rd.-1-2
Calvin Ashley, OT, Florida A&M, Jr., Rd.-3-4

Seniors opting out and entering the draft:
Josh Jackson, QB, Maryland, 7th-free agent

2021 prospects opting out but redshirting and returning in 2021
Xavier Thomas, DE, Clemson, Jr.
Neil Farrell, DT, LSU, Sr.
Jordan Reid, OG, Michigan St., Sr.
Jacob Panasiuk, DE, Michigan St., Sr.
D.J. Ford, S, North Carolina, Sr.
Chandler Wooten, LB, Auburn, Sr.
Ra’Von Bonner, RB, Illinois, Sr.
Ben Wyatt, LS, Duke, Sr.