LSU defensive end Neil Farrell Jr. opts out of 2020 season

LSU defensive end Neil Farrell Jr. has elected to sit out the 2020 football season, Sports Illustrated’s Ross Dellenger first reported.

The 6-foot-4, 319-pound Mobile, Ala. native is the first LSU player to elect to sit out the 2020 season due to COVID-19 concerns.

“I’m focusing on my family right now,” Farrell told the Athletic’s Brody Miller, who also reports that the senior does plan on returning to the team in 2021.

Farrell was a favorite to be a starter in the new 4-3 alignment for the Tigers. LSU’s most productive defensive lineman in terms of tackles (45) and tackles for loss (6.5) last season, he also added three sacks and four hurries.