Caleb Farley
FILE - Oklahoma running back Kennedy Brooks (26) carries during an NCAA college football game against Oklahoma State in Stillwater, Okla., in this Saturday, Nov. 30, 2019, file photo. Most of the top college football players who opted out of the 2020 season due to the pandemic decided to leave school and launch their pro careers. But plenty of other players who opted out of last season chose to continue their college careers either at their original school or opted to transfer. The list of notable players back this season after opting out last year features two-time, 1,000-yard rusher Kennedy Brooks of Oklahoma.(AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki, File)
PICK SIX: Brooks tops list of players back after opting out

By Steve Megargee Aug. 20, 2021 02:20 AM EDT

FILE - Virginia Tech quarterback Hendon Hooker (2) tosses the ball during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Virginia in Charlottesville, Va., Friday, Nov. 29, 2019. Hooker emerged last season as a reliable decision-maker, finishing with 13 touchdown passes and just two interceptions. (AP Photo/Steve Helber, File)
Fuente, Hokies optimistic with many key players returning

By Hank Kurz Jr. Sep. 01, 2020 04:08 PM EDT

FILE - In this Jan. 13, 2020, file photo, LSU wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase catches a touchdown pass in front of Clemson cornerback A.J. Terrell during the first half of a NCAA College Football Playoff national championship game in New Orleans. All-America wide receiver Chase, cornerback Kary Vincent Jr. and defensive end Neil Farrell Jr. have announced they won’t be playing this season. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip, File)
PICK SIX: LSU quartet heads list of players opting out

By Steve Megargee Sep. 01, 2020 03:36 AM EDT

FILE - In this Dec. 28, 2019, file photo, Clemson running back Travis Etienne scores a touchdown against Ohio State during the second half of the Fiesta Bowl NCAA college football playoff semifinal, in Glendale, Ariz. Etienne was selected to The Associated Press preseason All-America first-team, Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2020. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin, File)
AP Preseason All-America Team

By The Associated Press Aug. 25, 2020 12:01 PM EDT

FILE - In this Dec. 7, 2019, file photo, LSU cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. (24) intercepts the ball from Georgia wide receiver George Pickens (1) during the second half of the Southeastern Conference championship NCAA college football game in Atlanta. Stingley Jr. was selected to The Associated Press preseason All-America first-team, Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2020. (AP Photo/John Bazemore, File)
Parsons, Sewell among AP preseason All-Americans not playing

By Ralph D. Russo Aug. 25, 2020 12:00 PM EDT

FILE - In this Nov. 30, 2019, file photo, Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields rolls out to throw against Michigan during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Ann Arbor, Mich. Ohio State opens preseason training camp on Thursday, Aug. 6, 2020, with strict coronavirus protocols in place and under a cloud of uncertainty about whether a revised 10-game season will even be played at all. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya, File)
Postponing season puts NFL prospects in a holding pattern

By Mitch Stacy Aug. 13, 2020 02:58 PM EDT

The Latest: Saints have two on COVID-19 reserve list.

By The Associated Press Aug. 06, 2020 02:37 PM EDT
The Latest on the effects of the coronavirus outbreak on sports around the world: ___ The New Orleans Saints have...

Star Penn State linebacker Micah Parsons opts out of season

By The Associated Press Aug. 06, 2020 02:29 PM EDT
Penn State All-American Micah Parsons is opting out of the 2020 season because of concerns about COVID-19. The junior linebacker made his...

FILE - In this Jan. 1, 2020, file photo, Minnesota wide receiver Rashod Bateman (13) turns upfield against Auburn during the first half of the Outback Bowl NCAA college football gam in Tampa, Fla. Bateman has opted out of the 2020 season amid concerns about the coronavirus, forgoing his remaining two years of eligibility to enter the 2021 NFL draft. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara, File)
Gophers WR Bateman skips season amid virus worries, goes pro

By Dave Campbell Aug. 04, 2020 02:51 PM EDT

FILE - This Thursday, Aug. 29, 2019, file photo, shows the Pac-12 logo during the second half of an NCAA college football game between Arizona State and Kent State, in Tempe, Ariz. The Pac-12 has set Sept. 26 as the start of its 10-game conference-only football schedule. The Pac-12 announced three weeks ago it would eliminate nonconference games for its 12 member schools. (AP Photo/Ralph Freso, File)
Next in summer of player empowerment: Pac-12 players unite

By Ralph D. Russo Aug. 03, 2020 01:46 AM EDT

Virginia Tech star CB Farley to skip college football season

By The Associated Press Jul. 29, 2020 08:26 PM EDT
Virginia Tech star cornerback Caleb Farley announced Wednesday he will not play for the Hokies if there is a season, becoming the most notable major-college...

Fans wearing face masks to help protect against the spread of the new coronavirus take a selfie before the KBO league game between Doosan Bears and LG Twins in Seoul, South Korea, Sunday, July 27, 2020. Masked fans hopped, sang and shouted cheering slogans in baseball stadiums in South Korea on Sunday as authorities began bringing back spectators in professional sports games amid the coronavirus pandemic. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)
The Latest: Lions place five players on COVID-19 list

By The Associated Press Jul. 29, 2020 01:36 PM EDT

FILE - In this Nov. 2, 2019, file photo, Miami tight end Brevin Jordan (9) celebrates a Miami take away in the first half of an NCAA college football game against Florida State, in Tallahassee, Fla. Jordan was selected to The Associated Press All-Atlantic Coast Conference football team, Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2019. (AP Photo/Mark Wallheiser, File)
Clemson RB Etienne, LB Simmons lead AP All-ACC teams

By Joedy Mccreary Dec. 10, 2019 12:50 PM EST

Virginia Tech defensive back Caleb Farley (3) returns an interception for a touchdown as Georgia Tech tight end Tyler Davis (9) defends in the first half of an NCAA football game Saturday, Nov. 16, 2019, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Hooker helps Hokies rout Georgia Tech 45-0

By Charles Odum Nov. 16, 2019 06:44 PM EST

Texas Tech's Ta'Zhawn Henry (26) carries the ball past West Virginia's Reuben Jones (91) for a touchdown during the first quarter of their NCAA college football game in Morgantown, W.Va., Saturday, Nov. 9, 2019. (AP Photo/Chris Jackson)
Pacific Tigers at Oregon State Beavers 11/11/2019

Nov. 09, 2019 02:23 PM EST

FILE - In this Sept. 22, 2018, file photo, Kent State wide receiver Antwan Dixon (89) dives but cannot make the catch during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Mississippi, in Oxford, Miss. Kent State receiver Antwan Dixon, Dartmouth defensive lineman Seth Simmer and Carson-Newman running back Antonio Wimbush are the first recipients of the Mayo Clinic college football Comeback Player of the Year Award. The new award recognizes college football players from FBS, FCS and lower divisions who overcome injury, illness or other challenges to return to the field. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis, File)
Dixon, Simmer, Wimbush win Comeback Player of Year honors

By Ralph D. Russo Dec. 18, 2018 12:01 PM EST

FILE - In this Sept. 22, 2018, file photo, Kent State wide receiver Antwan Dixon (89) dives for an incomplete pass during the first half of an NCAA college football game Mississippi in Oxford, Miss. After missing two whole seasons, Dixon is back with Kent State and one 15 nominees so far for the college football’s new Comeback Player of the Year Award. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis, File)
Comeback player of year: Kent State's Dixon leads nominees

By Ralph D. Russo Oct. 24, 2018 01:09 PM EDT

FILE - In this Oct. 5, 2018, file photo, Georgia Tech head coach Paul Johnson shouts instructions to his team during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Louisville, in Louisville, Ky. Georgia Tech has had time to stew during its bye week, but the Yellow Jackets are neither lamenting their tough schedule, ruing a few dreadful losses nor contemplating the complexities required to save their season. The Yellow Jackets (3-4, 1-3 Atlantic Coast Conference) have been working on a seemingly simple skill _ hanging onto the football. (AP Photo/Timothy D. Easley, File)
Georgia Tech trying to hang onto the ball, and season

By Matt Winkeljohn Oct. 23, 2018 04:40 PM EDT