Safety Hafiz opts out of 2020 season

FAU safety Quran Hafiz is opting out the 2020 season due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Hafiz made the announcement Saturday afternoon on Twitter, becoming the first Owl to opt-out of the season.

The NCAA is allowing studentathletes to opt-out of the fall 2020 season without losing their scholarship “due to concerns about contracting COVID-19.”

“I believe it is in my best interest to do this to avoid contracting the virus and even worse pass it on to my family. Our safety and health is my number one priority,” Hafiz tweeted. “This was a hard decision with the passion and love I have for the game, my teammates and FAU. This will be even an even harder year being without football but decisions like this come with being a man and I realize that I’m not making decisions just for myself anymore.

“I have to make decisions that aren’t just in my best interest but also for my son and my family. Florida Atlantic coaches and strength coaches have been doing a great job with taking the proper protocols to prevent an outbreak but when we start traveling and going on flights different states is what worries me.”

Hafiz played in all 14 of FAU’s games last season, recording 33 tackles (17 solo). He said that he’s going to redshirt the 2020 season and plans to play for the Owls in 2021 as a redshirt senior.

“I will be the biggest FAU fan this year supporting my brothers and will witness another [conference] championship,” Hafiz said.

Senior safety Zyon Gilbert said he talked to Hafiz about his decision before he made his announcement. Gilbert added that he’s talked to his family about playing this season, saying he’ll make a decision by Aug. 14 and that his focus is on the team.

FAU started its fall camp Wednesday and is scheduled to kick off the 2020 season against Georgia Southern on Sept. 19 in Statesboro, Georgia.