4-star Texas commit opts out of high school senior season

Four-star running back Jaydon Blue will sit out his senior season of high school football in 2021 to prepare for college.

Blue is the fifth-rated running back and the No. 82-ranked overall prospect in the 2022 recruiting class, according to ESPN.

The 5-foot-10, 194-pound runner cited wear and tear as one of the factors for his decision to opt out of his final season at Klein Cain High School.

"This has been a very difficult decision for my family and I," Blue said in a statement on Twitter. "Football is a brutal sport, and the wear and tear associated with the RB position is undeniable. I plan to take this time to focus on my academics while enhancing my off the field training/rehab regimen."

He added: "This is a strategic and conscious effort to ensure that I am prepared to perform at an elite level at the collegiate rankings during the 2022 season."

Blue informed the Texas staff of his decision prior to his announcement. He's expected to graduate early and enroll at Texas in January, according to Mike Roach of Horns247.

The Houston native rushed for 2,155 yards and 30 touchdowns while averaging 9.5 yards per carry in his junior year.

The blue-chip runner becomes one of the first prospects to opt out of the 2022 season. His decision comes nearly a year after many high school seasons were impacted by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.