Tough news for Minnesota’s chances to repeat their special 2019 season as preseason All-American Rashod Bateman announced on Tuesday that he has decided to opt-out of the coming college football season.

He announced his decision with the video release found below.

This news comes after Bateman caught 60 passes for 1,219 yards and 11 touchdowns last fall for the Gophers. Bateman not only broke the school record for catches (51) and receiving yards (704) for a freshman back in 2018, he broke the school record for receiving yards and touchdowns for a sophomore in 2019.

Bateman has made a reception in all 26 games he appeared in for Minnesota.

Following his big season on the field, Bateman was named First-Team All-Big Ten, he was named a Biletnikoff Award Finalist and he was AP Third-Team All-American.

Now, unexpectedly, Bateman’s time with the Gophers is finished, as the receiver announced he will sit out this season before leaving school for the NFL.