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Riley: Players back June 1 'one of the most ridiculous things' I've heard

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Oklahoma head coach Lincoln Riley isn't on board with the idea of college football players coming back to campus June 1.

"All this talk of these schools wanting to bring players back on June 1 is one of the most ridiculous things I've ever heard," Riley said Thursday, according to Dylan Buckingham of Oklahoma's News 4. "We've got to be patient. We'll get one good shot at it to bring them back at the right time when we're as prepared and know as much about this as we possibly can."

However, Riley is optimistic about college football returning this season.

"I definitely think we'll play. ... I think everybody's got to have a very open mind about this," he added. "We're not the NFL. There are some huge, huge differences in us being able to put on a successful season versus a professional league."

ACC commissioner John Swofford said the NCAA is looking at June 1 as "a day to reconsider everything," according to Sports Illustrated's Ross Dellenger and Pat Forde.

LSU executive deputy athletic director Verge Ausberry told reporters that SEC presidents will vote May 22 on whether they'll bring players back to campus on June 1 or June 15, according to Brooks Kubena of the Advocate.

The NCAA has discussed contingency plans for the 2020 season, which reportedly include dividing up the regular season between the fall and spring semesters, reducing games, allowing student-athletes to play in empty stadiums, and holding the College Football Playoff in May or June.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis opened his state for pro sports this week, while Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey announced professional sports activities can resume May 16.

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