Minnesota WR Rashod Bateman opts out to prep for NFL Draft

Minnesota Golden Gophers star wide receiver Rashod Bateman has opted out of the college football season. Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports

Minnesota star WR Rashod Bateman opts out to prep for NFL Draft

By Zac Wassink | Last updated 11/25/20

For the second time, Minnesota Golden Gophers star wide receiver Rashod Bateman has opted out of the college football season.

Odds are he won't reverse course this time around.

Bateman explained via a post shared on social media that a recent COVID-19 outbreak at Minnesota caused him to rethink his future and, ultimately, begin concentrating on the 2021 NFL Draft:

Thank you Minnesota. pic.twitter.com/ANVtBYnCdr
— Rashod Bateman (@R_bateman2) November 25, 2020

Head coach P.J. Fleck addressed the matter via a prepared statement:

We wish you all the best, @R_bateman2

A statement from @Coach_Fleck. pic.twitter.com/ZfRby2rm00
— Minnesota Football (@GopherFootball) November 25, 2020

The Golden Gophers made headlines on Tuesday when their upcoming game against the Wisconsin Badgers was canceled after Minnesota paused team activities due to positive COVID-19 cases and subsequent quarantines affecting the program.

ESPN's Tom VanHaaren is reporting that nine student-athletes and six staff members tested positive for the virus over the past week.

Bateman originally opted out after the Big Ten postponed football and other fall sports in August because of the coronavirus pandemic. However, he returned to the team once the conference announced a shortened league-only season.

He ends his campaign leading Minnesota with 36 catches, 472 receiving yards, and a pair of receiving scores.

Ryan Wilson and Chris Trapasso of CBS Sports both project Bateman will be a first-round selection in next year's draft. Charlie Campbell of Walter Football, meanwhile, forecasts Bateman could fall to the second or third round.

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