Wake Forest wide receiver Sage Surratt announced that he will opt out of the 2020 college football season and turn his attention to preparing for the 2021 NFL Draft (Twitter link). Surratt, widely projected to be a first-round pick next April, is just the latest college football star to skip out on the upcoming campaign. 
[RELATED: Purdue WR Rondale Moore Opts Out]
In recent days, Miami defensive end Gregory Rousseau, Penn State linebacker Micah Parsons, Minnesota wideout Rashod Bateman, and Purdue wide receiver Rondale Moore have decided to prioritize their safety and long-term career prospects. Surratt is widely projected as one of the top WR talents in the ’21 class, along with LSU’s Ja’Marr Chase and Alabama stars Jaylen Waddle and Devonta Smith.
Surratt, who boasts size and power at 6’3″, caught some attention as a frosh in 2018 with 41 catches for 581 yards and four touchdowns. Last year, he made an even stronger case for NFL evaluators: 66 receptions for 1,001 yards and eleven scores.
More players from the ACC, SEC, and Big 12 conferences are expected to pass on playing this year, including some of the game’s top prospects for the upcoming draft.
It amazing how the combine will come full circle and a strong showing will be greatly evaluated. Even if a player has a tremendous year the competition the team faced will be questioned. With all these players opting out to train specifically for the combine and interviews, better not blow it.