Miami star Rousseau won't play 2020 season
Miami defensive lineman Gregory Rousseau told head coach Manny Diaz he won't play this upcoming season, according to Manny Navarro of The Athletic.
"As a coach, we are for these young men and advocates for them," Diaz said Thursday, according to Andrew Ivins of 247 Sports. "We want what is best for him and if that is what he has chosen, we support that.”
Rousseau was named ACC Defensive Rookie of the Year after racking up 15.5 sacks during his redshirt freshman campaign in 2019. Rousseau is expected to be a first-round pick if he enters the 2021 NFL Draft. He's also considered a potential top-10 selection.
He played just one game as a true freshman in 2018 before suffering a season-ending ankle injury that redshirted him for the remainder of that year.
Penn State star linebacker Micah Parsons also announced his decision to skip the 2020 season Thursday. Minnesota wide receiver Rashod Bateman and Virginia Tech cornerback Caleb Farley are other potential first-round picks who will sit out.