Similar to the NFL, some college football players have opted out of the 2020 college football season due to COVID-19 concerns. In a surprising move to some, LSU wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase is choosing to sit out for the 2020 season, per Dennis Dodd of CBS Sports.

Instead of playing this season at LSU, Chase is electing to prepare for the 2021 NFL Draft. Even before opting out, Chase is considered to be the best wide receiver available in next year's draft.

While Joe Burrow put together a historic season at LSU in 2019, Chase was one of his favorite targets in the aerial attack. The sophomore wideout was able to haul in 84 receptions for 1,780 yards and 20 receiving touchdowns.

His 1,780 receiving yards and 20 receiving touchdowns led LSU a season ago. On the other hand, Justin Jefferson — who was selected by the Minnesota Vikings with the No. 22 pick in the 2020 NFL Draft led the team in receptions with 111. As good as Jefferson is, some believe Chase can be or already is better than him.

Seeing that college athletes aren't paid, there isn't much of an incentive for certain players on high-profile teams such as LSU to risk playing in 2020. Especially for guys like Chase, who wouldn't be able to improve his draft stock much even if he suited up this season.

We've seen some notable names already opt out of the 2020 college football season. Besides Chase, Rashod Bateman was the first early-round wide receiver prospect to focus on the 2021 NFL Draft. Given the time there is between now and the start of the season, there could still be other marquee names to make the same decision as Chase of LSU.