LSU’s Chase Opts Out of 2020

The SEC's season is less than a month away and players are still making decisions whether to play or not amid the coronavirus pandemic. The Vanderbilt Commodores have experienced this with linebacker Dimitri Moore deciding to opt back into the season after previously deciding to opt-out.

The LSU Tigers have not been immune to players deciding not to play this year as prominent wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase made an announcement yesterday to opt-out of the 2020 season and prepare for the 2021 NFL Draft. Chase was seen as a top wide receiver prospect in college and the top returning weapon on the Tigers offense.

Chase hauled in 84 receptions for 1,780 yards and 20 touchdowns during last season's historic Tigers title run. He won the Biletnikoff Award last season, given to college football's top wide receiver. Additionally he was a unanimous All-American and First Team All-SEC.

The Tigers have now need to replace four of its top five returning receiving weapons from 2019 due to Chase's decision in addition to replacing quarterback Joe Burrow. Redshirt Junior Myles Brennan is fully expected to take over as the starting quarterback. Junior Terrace Marshall is now the most productive receiver returning for the Tigers, last season he hauled in 46 receptions for 671 yards and 13 touchdowns.

Chase was a four-star recruit out of Metairie, Louisiana, just outside of New Orleans. He is projected to be a top-10 pick in the upcoming NFL Draft.