Vanderbilt suspended football operations on Friday after an undisclosed number of players underwent COVID-19 testing.
The Commodores had completed four practices to open the preseason this week. Training was canceled Friday morning due to the media availability of a Zoom call with coach Derek Mason and defensive coordinator Ted Roof.
Vanderbilt spokesman Alan George refused to provide the number of positive tests or whether they included players, coaches or staff.
A statement released by the university Friday night said it was a “small amount of positive effects of COVID-19 control on our program.”
“The effects were decided through our ongoing testing procedures, which are components of a number of prevention protocols that we have in a position to protect the physical condition and protection of our student-athletes and our network in general,” he continued.
“Students-athletes who tested positive for COVID-19 were placed in isolation according to university protocols. All work hard with our public fitness command center and other fitness officers to identify close contacts and do not interact with others on campus or in the Nashville Community.”
Vanderbilt is scheduled to play at No. thirteen Texas A-M on September 26 at the season opener. The team has announced modifications to its educational program.
SEC rules require players and staff to be reviewed once a week in preseason workouts and 3 times per week, adding a quick diagnostic check near the game.
In addition, anyone who tests positive for COVID-19 and recovers will not have to re-test for 90 days, which is in accordance with the guidelines of the Centers for Disease Control. One exception is that a player with COVID-19 symptoms for those 90 days may require a new test.
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At least five Vanderbilt players opted out of the 2020 season for COVID-19 reasons prior to the start of pre-season training. Senior supporter Dimitri Moore, an NFL draft prospect and the team’s top sensible tackler, the remarkable top. He joined Placekicker Oren Milstein and offensive linemen Cole Clemens, Jonathan Stewart and Bryce Bailey.
On Monday, Mason said that “several” players had retired, but refused to provide an express number or the names of the players before the five already reported. Practices have been closed to the public and the media.