Virginia Tech cornerback Caleb Farley, a scheduled first-round pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, is stepping down from the coming season amid the coronavirus pandemic.
“I am opting out due to uncertain sanitary conditions and regulations and all the other opt-outs in football at the moment,” he said in a video posted to his Instagram account.
He said he will focus on preparing for the NFL Draft.
Farley’s mother died in 2018 from breast cancer.
“I can’t afford to lose another parent or loved one,” he says. “Although the competitor in me really wants to play this season, I cannot ignore what is going on in my heart and I have to make the decision that brings me the most peace.”
Farley, a junior, had four interceptions last season and has six in his college career. He was an All-ACC first-team selection and led the conference with 16 assists defended last season.
ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. has a late first-round rating on Farley, who is ranked second-tier for the 2021 draft.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter and Andrea Adelson contributed to this report.
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