With 66 NFL players opting out of the 2020 season, college football players are starting to do the same. Miami Hurricanes defensive end Gregory Rousseau opted out of the 2020 season on Thursday.
Rousseau will likely declare for the 2021 NFL Draft early next season. He is considered to be a first-round pick who ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. ranks as his 24th overall prospect and the best defensive end.
“Just actually, while we were speaking, Greg Rousseau let me know he is not going to play football this fall. He is opting out, very similar to what you’ve seen in college football,” Hurricanes coach Manny Diaz told reporters during a Zoom call. “We want to thank him for everything he’s done for the Miami Hurricanes and we’re going to support him every way that we can, with him looking to achieve his dreams of becoming a great player in the National Football League.”
Last year, Rousseau had 54 tackles, 19.5 for loss, and seven quarterback hurries. He also led the ACC in sacks with 15.5 and earned First-Team All-ACC honors.
Rousseau is the fourth high-profile draft prospect to opt out of the season because of the pandemic. He joins Virginia Tech’s Caleb Farley, Minnesota wide receiver Rashod Bateman, and Penn State linebacker Micah Parsons.
