Memphis star Gainwell opts out for 2020
Memphis' preseason All-american sophomore running back Kenneth Gainwell will opt out of the 2020 college football season.
Curtis Gainwell Sr. told The Commercial Appeal on Sunday night that the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic played a role in his son's decision as the family has lost four members after contracting the virus, including an uncle whose funeral was this weekend.
"He decided that he didn't want take any chances with the coronavirus going on. You don't want to to get out there and get sick and bring it to us, his brother or his teammates," Gainwell Sr. said.
Gainwell's uncle was a frequent presence at home games last season, and his father said that he took the loss hard. It was a factor in making the decision just six days before the Tigers' season opener against visiting Arkansas State on Saturday (7 p.m. CT, ESPN) at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium
Curtis Gainwell Sr. added that his son has not yet made a decision on whether or not he'll enter the 2021 NFL draft. The Athletic's Dane Brugler listed him as his No. 4 running back prospect in the draft behind Journey Brown (Penn State), Travis Etienne (Clemson) and Chuba Hubbard (Oklahoma State).
"I'm going to let him make his own decision that fits him," Gainwell Sr. said.
Gainwell was a first-team ALL-AAC performer as a redshirt freshman last season when he put up 2,069 all-purpose yards – the most of any freshman in the FBS. The Mississippi native was named a second-team All-american by the Sporting News and American Football Coaches Association as well as Freshman of the Year by the Football Writers Association of America.
Gainwell set freshman records at Memphis for rushing yards (1,459), single-game rushing yards (209), 100-yard games (seven) and consecutive 100yard games (six). His 1,459 rushing yards are fourth-most in single-season history and he's the third Tiger to eclipse 2,000 all-purpose yards in a single season (Deangelo Williams and Darrell Henderson).
He was also a great pass catcher as his 610 receiving yards were second most on the team last season. Against Tulane, he became the first FBS player to have over 200 receiving yards and 100 rushing yards in the same game since 1997.
The Tigers have depth at running back but it's mostly a young group. Sophomore Rodrigues Clark earned praise for his improvement during fall camp and junior Kylan Watkins appeared in 11 games last season (325
yards, three touchdowns).
Miami transfer Asa Martin and junior college transfer Kalyn Grandberry are also in line to fight for carries. Yet losing Gainwell will be an early challenge for Ryan Silverfield as he prepares for his first full season as coach of the Tigers.