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       #Post#: 32--------------------------------------------------
       Alabama coach Nick Saban thinks opt-outs would turn spring
       football into JV
   DIR By: The Referee
       Date: August 18, 2020, 9:39 pm
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       Alex Scarborough
       ESPN Staff Writer
       Alabama coach Nick Saban questioned the viability of a spring
       football season during his appearance on ESPN's Get Up on
       Tuesday, asking whether pro prospects would even consider
       participating.
       "I think one of the real consequences of this is, if you're a
       junior or a senior and you have an NFL grade, are you going to
       play in the spring?" Saban said. "Or is that going to become
       sort of a JV season with a lot of these juniors and seniors
       opting out?"
       Several current college football players have told ESPN they'd
       be unwilling to play a spring season, citing the risk of injury
       so close to the NFL draft, which is scheduled to begin on April
       29.
       A week ago, the Big Ten and Pac-12 announced that they would
       postpone all fall sports during the coronavirus pandemic, with
       the hope of playing football in the spring.
       The SEC, ACC and Big 12 all have plans to start their seasons in
       late September.
       Saban said he's confident in the advice he and the SEC have
       received in terms of moving forward with the season and creating
       a "safe environment."
       "Everybody's circumstances and situation is a little bit
       different," Saban said. "I actually hate it for the players who
       won't get the opportunity to play and compete and create value
       for themselves."
       Several high-profile pro prospects have opted out of the season,
       including Penn State linebacker Micah Parsons, Minnesota
       receiver Rashod Bateman and Miami defensive lineman Gregory
       Rousseau.
       On Monday, defending champion LSU had its second player opt out
       when senior defensive back Kary Vincent Jr. said he was going to
       start preparing for the NFL combine.
       Over the weekend, a handful of Vanderbilt players opted out,
       including leading tackler Dimitri Moore.
       Saban has declined to say whether any of his players had decided
       to opt out of the season, reiterating that everyone has been
       told that "you don't have to do anything you're not comfortable
       with."
       "We're going to keep all those issues internal to our team,"
       Saban said after practice Monday. "The players have asked me to
       do that, and I agree with them."
       Meanwhile, also on Tuesday,, the university released its plans
       for dealing with COVID-19 at games, noting that it will allow
       about 20% capacity for games at Bryant-Denny Stadium this season
       and seating will be set up to allow social distancing.
       The Crimson Tide opens its home schedule against Texas A&M on
       Oct. 3. Southeastern Conference teams are scheduled to play only
       10 league games starting on Sept. 26.
       Alabama will have mobile-only ticketing and parking to allow for
       contactless entry for all venues.
       The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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