College football teams are starting to return to campus, including SEC programs. Yes, some SEC players have tested positive for the virus, but they are mostly asymptomatic.

As things stand right now, teams are hoping to start the season on time; however, that could very well change in the next couple of months. The good thing is the NCAA Football Oversight Committee finalized the 6-week preseason plan, helping bring football a step closer.

Health officials have warned that a vaccine for COVID-19 may not be in the near-future. Best-case scenarios include late 2020; however, it could be 2021 before any vaccine is available.

ESPN surveyed 73 college football players, and they were asked if they would want to play this fall despite not having a vaccine. Of the 73 players surveyed, 64 said yes they would want to play, while 8 said no and 1 said somewhat.

An anonymous player said, “I would be perfectly fine practicing and playing games. There’s an assumption of risk whenever you play the sport to begin with and I don’t think adding the virus to that changes anything for the coaches or players.”

Another said, “I would be comfortable as long as there’s consistent testing for the players, referees, coaches the day prior to the game or as long as the people participating on the field have been tested and are coronavirus free.”

SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey appeared on the Paul Finebaum Show Friday, and he expressed the one concern he has this year — more rapid testing and answers.

“There’s not just one concern,” Sankey said on the SEC Network. “So, zero positive tests is not the goal. We’d like that; so, if that’s the outcome, outstanding. … If I could ask for one thing, it would be effective, widely available and timely testing. That will be an important part of our summer. We’ve always known that. … The testing’s better, but even more widely available, more reliable and a more timely turnaround, so that we can use for rapid testing and have a rapid answer on the test.”