Minnesota Football: Demetrius Douglas opts out of the 2020 season

Minnesota Golden Gophers wide receiver Demetrius Douglas announced via Twitter this afternoon that he has decided to opt out of the 2020 season. He is set to graduate this December and plans to retire from the sport of football altogether.

Douglas was a starter as a true freshman before missing the final nine games of the season due to injury and taking a medical redshirt. Consistent production in the passing game has eluded him for the last two seasons, recording a combined 23 receptions for 244 receiving yards and one touchdown while playing behind Tyler Johnson, Rashod Bateman, and Chris Autman-Bell. But Douglas has also served as the Gophers’ primary kick and punt returner over that span, scoring on a 69-yard punt return for a touchdown against Wisconsin in 2018.

One of only four upperclassmen scholarship receivers on the roster, Douglas was expected to compete for the starting slot receiver spot this season. Douglas’ decision to step away from football opens the door for true freshmen Douglas Emilien and Daniel Jackson or even walk-on Clay Geary to perhaps see more significant snaps this fall.