Vanderbilt star Dimitri Moore opts back into season

Photo by Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

As the season nears, some players who opted out over coronavirus concerns are having second thoughts. Today, Vanderbilt’s leading tackler Dimitri Moore announced he is opting back in after learning more about the virus.

“After my grandfather’s passing from COVID-19, I made a decision to opt-out of the upcoming football season,” Moore wrote on Instagram. “Since then, I have done more research and had many conversations with doctors and medical personnel. I look forward to returning to the program and playing this season, and I have made this decision on my own. As a team, we are responsible for our actions and hold each other accountable within our environment. I have trust and confidence in Vanderbilt’s testing abilities and safety protocols.”

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Moore, a Butkus Award candidate, led Vanderbilt with 99 tackles last season, including 6 for loss. He had 13 tackles, 6 solo, in the Commodores’ 38-14 loss to Kentucky on November 16. Earlier this month, he was one of several Vanderbilt players to announce they were opting out, along with placekicker Oren Milstein and offensive linemen Cole Clemens, Bryce Bailey and Jonathan Stewart. Vanderbilt’s fall camp is currently on pause after a small number of players tested positive last week.