List of Big Ten players who opted out of (and back in to) the 2020 college football season

By | October 24, 2020

The Big Ten returns to football this week, providing fans a much-needed reunion with their favorite teams, coaches and players.

That said, the conference has seen an influx of players (such as Michigan quarterback Dylan McCaffrey) who have opted out of the 2020 season because of the COVID-19 pandemic. That includes a handful of players — such as Penn State linebacker Micah Parsons — who have already declared for the 2021 NFL Draft. Add to that the players who reversed their initial opt-out decisions, such as Purdue receiver Rondale Moore, and it can be a confusing situation to track.

Below is a list of Big Ten football players who have opted out of — and then back in to — the 2020 college football season:

MORE: Big Ten Week 8 football schedule

Big Ten Players who opted out

Players listed in alphabetical order by school
*Indicates players who have declared for 2021 NFL Draft

Name Position Class School
Ra’Von Bonner RB Sr. Illinois
Dawson Degroot LB Sr. Illinois
Djimon Colbert LB Jr. Iowa
Taajhir McCall DL R-Fr. Iowa
Jalen Alexander DL So. Maryland
Vincent Flythe DB So. Maryland
Josh Jackson QB Sr. Maryland
TJ Kautai LB Jr. Maryland
Dylan McCaffrey QB Jr. Michigan
Ambry Thomas* CB Sr. Michigan
Nico Collins* WR Sr. Michigan
Camaron Cheeseman LS Sr. Michigan
Jordan Reid OT Sr. Michigan State
Justin Stevens OT Fr. Michigan State
Demetrius Douglas WR R-So. Minnesota
Rashawn Slater* OL Sr. Northwestern
Samdup Miller DE Sr. Northwestern
Aidan Smith QB Sr. Northwestern
Travis Whillock S Sr. Northwestern
Jason Whittaker TE Jr. Northwestern
Micah Parsons* LB Jr. Penn State
Everett Wormley WR Sr. Rutgers
Mike Lonsdorf OL R-Sr. Rutgers
Matt Thomas DL R-So. Rutgers

Big Ten players who opted back in

Name Position Class School
Austin Fontaine OL So. Maryland
Johnny Jordan OL Sr. Maryland
Christian Turner RB Jr. Michigan
Jalen Mayfield OT Jr. Michigan
Jacub Panasiuk LB Sr. Michigan State
Marcel Lewis DE Fr. Michigan State
Rashod Bateman WR Jr. Minnesota
Shaun Wade CB R-Jr. Ohio State
Wyatt Davis OL Jr. Ohio State
Rondale Moore WR So. Purdue

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