Pitt standout safety Paris Ford is opting out of the remainder of the 2020 season, coach Pat Narduzzi told ESPN on Monday.
Ford leads the Panthers in both tackles (45) and interceptions (three). He also led Pitt in both categories last season, recording 97 tackles and three interceptions. Ford has 20 passes defended the past two seasons and forced three fumbles in 2019.
Pittsburgh Sports Now first reported Ford's decision to opt out. The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported that COVID-19 concerns contributed to Ford's decision.
"All along, Paris has had these thoughts in his mind going back to last year in February when he decided to stay, and then there's all the opting out going on in the middle of summer during camp. So he took a few days back then to think about it long and hard. ... Those are decisions him and his family have got to make," Narduzzi said during a Monday videoconference . "They're business decisions, they're family decisions, and one that we respect. Just stuff that he's got to do."
Ford is a fourth-year junior who redshirted in 2017 before appearing in nine games as a reserve in 2018. He explored entering the NFL draft after last season before choosing to return to Pitt.
"Paris is a tremendous football player, a tremendous person, a guy that we got a lot of respect for, and we appreciate all the efforts he's put in here in his ... three and a half, four years -- and really for the six years we've known him through the whole recruiting process," Narduzzi said. "We wish him all the best in his endeavors as he moves on through this football world and the rest of his life."
Narduzzi said he does not expect this to spark many other players to opt out of the season.
The Panthers are 3-4 and play Saturday at Florida State.