Last Friday, SMU defensive tackle Mike Williams became the first football player to opt out of the 2020 football season.

Williams announced his decision via Twitter, saying, “After many talks with my family and nights of prayer I have decided it would not be in my best interest to participate this season.”

Williams, who transferred to SMU this summer from Stanford, was expected to make a big impact on the Mustangs defensive line. He recorded 24 tackles, one sack and six tackles for a loss last season after starting all 12 games for the Cardinal. A year before, he led all Stanford defensive linemen with 42 tackles on the season.

Williams was also a standout player for All Saints Episcopal school in Fort Worth. He was the No. 33 ranked defensive tackle in the nation when he graduated in 2016.

Williams’ decision will not impact his college eligibility due to new NCAA rules which allow players to retain a year of their eligibility if they chose to sit out the 2020 season due to ongoing COVID-19 concerns. Williams only has one year left, and plans to play for SMU next season.

“See y’all in 2021. Pony Up,” Williams said.

In his announcement, Williams praised SMU Football for their handlings of practice and team meetings during the era of COVID-19.

“SMU has been the standard for how college football programs should protect and take care of their players though the pandemic,” Williams said.

The team has been practicing on campus all summer. with plenty of coronavirus precautions in place, as the American Athletic Conference forges ahead as planned with fall sports.

The Mustangs will officially begin their season on Sept. 5 at Texas State.