Florida State DT Marvin Wilson says he won't opt out of college football season

Florida State defensive tackle Marvin Wilson said that he never considered skipping the upcoming season, even as he has become one of college football's most prominent voices for racial justice.

"I didn't come back to sit out and just go prepare for the league," Wilson said. "That's taking the easy way out. For me, personally, I feel like I have work to do here in Tallahassee."

Wilson sparked a national story this summer when he called out FSU head coach Mike Norvell for claiming that he had talked with every player on the team about the death of George Floyd and the nationwide protests that followed. Wilson announced on Twitter that the team would skip team workouts until Norvell resolved the situation. Norvell ended up meeting with the team and thanked Wilson for voicing his criticism.

After that incident, Wilson started "Marvin's Movement," a charitable foundation aimed at financial literacy and community service for children.

Currently, Wilson is projected to be a first-round pick in the 2021 draft, and he says that he is excited about playing in the upcoming season. He said that he never discussed opting out with his family. Wilson also stated that he has been comfortable with the team's safety protocols up to this point, saying that Florida State had been "overemphasizing everything."

"Finally getting back to the team and training at the stadium," Wilson said, "I feel like to opt out at this last minute when we've worked so hard, that would be disrespectful [to my teammates.]"