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Potential 1st-rounder Caleb Farley announces he won't attend draft after positive COVID-19 test

Cornerback Caleb Farley, a potential first-round draft pick out of Virginia Tech, was all set to attend the draft in person on Thursday — until the results of his latest COVID-19 test came back.

Farley announced in a video he posted to Twitter on Wednesday that he's tested positive for COVID-19. While he's currently asymptomatic and feeling fine, he will no longer be going to Cleveland to attend the draft.

Farley was one of 13 players the NFL invited to attend the draft in person. Everyone participating in the live event in Cleveland is required to undergo COVID-19 testing, and Farley is the first known positive.

We know that Farley won't be there to hug Roger Goodell when his name is called, but where his name will be called is still up in the air. According to Yahoo Sports' draft expert Eric Edholm, Farley was once a no-doubt first-rounder. However, his injury history is a major concern. He had a torn ACL in 2017, back spasms in 2019, and was forced to miss Virginia Tech's pro day in March because he had back surgery — a microdiscectomy — just three days before. He opted out of the 2020 season, so there's no recent tape on him either.

Farley's draft placement is up in the air, but he's remaining positive about the experience and the chance to live his dream as an NFL player.

“I’m still in good spirits," Farley said in the video. "I’m not going to let nothing or nobody ruin this week for me because it’s a dream come true.”

Caleb Farley, left, and Divine Deablo talk during Virginia Tech pro day, attended by NFL football scouts, in Blacksburg, Va., Friday, March 26, 2021. (AP Photo/Matt Gentry)
Virginia Tech CB Caleb Farley has tested positive for COVID-19 and won't be able to attend the NFL draft in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Matt Gentry) (AP)

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