[jwplayer 4KnstqGt]
One of the aspects of this 2020 college football season amidst a pandemic has been the opt-outs. Prior to the season, the Longhorns lost Daniel Young, Marqez Bimage, Willie Tyler, and DaJon Harrison. Due to the COVID-19 outbreak the NCAA allowed players to opt out of the 2020 campaign due to these concerns without any fear of losing their scholarships. Schools were required to honor those commitments.
[lawrence-related id=28351,28249]
In the fallout of the Iowa State loss on senior day, the Longhorns lost two more players to opt outs. Both offensive tackle Samuel Cosmi and safety Caden Sterns opted out of the remainder of the season. They will now focus all attention to preparing for the upcoming NFL Draft. Cosmi is viewed as a first-round selection while the opinions of Sterns are all over the place. He was viewed as a fringe second-round pick during the early portion of the season.
One player who will not be opting out of the remaining three games is senior quarterback Sam Ehlinger. He made that very clear during his media session on Tuesday.
While I absolutely love and respect them, I would never do that. I want to finish what I’ve started here. I will always give my all for my teammates, and everybody’s situation is different. – Ehlinger on opting out of the remainder of the season
With the game against Kansas State approaching in four days, no one expects any other players to make the same decision. However, Joseph Ossai could be another name to monitor. If the Longhorns making a coaching change, as has been widely speculated, or they lose to Kansas State it could become a real option.
While the Longhorns aren’t playing for a Big 12 Championship appearance following the loss to Iowa State on Friday, they are still playing for bowl seeding. Most feel that a Texas Bowl appearance is their likely situation, losses to Kansas State and/or Kansas could change that. It could be the difference between playing in Houston at NRG Stadium or a trip to Memphis and the Liberty Bowl.
As far as Ossai is concerned, he was recently listed as a top 32 draft prospect by ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. Opting out would prevent any chance of an injury in a game that at this point doesn’t mean much in the grand scheme of things. Most feel that this will be the last season for Joseph Ossai. Another name to consider is Brennan Eagles. He has started gaining momentum in the NFL Draft community.
[lawrence-related id=28367,28361,28319]