Ten University of Central Florida football players, including two projected starters, are opting out for the 2020 season because of concerns around the coronavirus pandemic, coach Josh Heupel said Tuesday.

The list of opt-outs includes cornerback Tay Gowan and defensive tackle Kalia Davis, who each started nine games last season. Backup quarterback Darriel Mack Jr., who started three games in 2018 and entered the 2019 season as the projected starter before a preseason injury, also is among those opting out. The group includes five reserve linemen (three offense, two defense).

“We’ve tried to educate our guys continuously as to what the best practices are and what we’re doing here to keep them as safe as possible,” Heupel said. “Each of these kids who chose to opt-out has different reasons behind their decisions. They’re valid, they’re real and we support those guys, and we’ll continue to help them.”

Both Gowan and Mack were starters last season for the Knights, and Mack led UCF to major wins against Memphis and East Carolina in the American Athletic Conference. 

Mack said that family is the most important thing to him and is one reason he decided to opt-out. 

“I have multiple members in my immediate family that are very susceptible to the virus,” Mack said. “It would be completely selfish of me to put them in harm’s way.”

Next in line to potentially fill Mack's role as the backup quarterback for the Knights is redshirt sophomore quarterback Quadry Jones. 먹튀사이트

“Quadry is willing and more than capable of playing at a championship level at the quarterback position,” Heupel said. "Our football team really feels strongly about Quadry and what he brings to the table.”

Defensive back Devunte Dawson reported that the reason he opted out this season is because he is looking out for his health.

"With so much uncertainty going on in the world right now... I feel it would be best for me to step away from football this season," Dawson said.

Even players who have not stepped out onto the field to play football have chosen to opt-out.

Allan Adams and Adrian Medley, both classify as UCF freshmen, and offensive linemen will miss playing their first season due to their decision to opt-out.

The NCAA released information a few weeks ago stating that any fall athletes will receive an additional year of eligibility whether they play or not. 

"All players were informed that they had the ability to opt-out due to COVID-19 and would still retain their scholarships,” according to a statement by UCF Athletics.

The Knights are scheduled to play their first game in Atlanta, Georgia, against Georgia Tech on Sept. 19.