Jaylen McCollough of the Vols is facing assault allegations
Tennessee starting safety Jaylen McCollough has been charged with felony aggravated assault.
McCollough was arrested Sunday afternoon after an incident at a Knoxville apartment complex, according to the Knox County Sheriff’s Office.
According to the arrest request, a man admitted to police that he unintentionally entered the wrong apartment and left after apologizing to the residents. Another man, he claimed, followed him out and became hostile.
“As he was walking away, he heard footsteps behind him. He turned around at the top of the stairs approximately 30 feet from the door and was punched in the face,” read the arrest report, per ESPN. “He fell backward down the stairs and lost consciousness.”
The victim sustained a bloody mouth and multiple missing or broken teeth, according to police.
A woman who had been assisting the victim at the scene revealed herself as McCollough’s girlfriend. She summoned him to the scene, and police reported that McCollough’s right hand was bleeding and bandaged.
McCollough, a 21-year-old senior from Austell, Georgia, was taken into custody. He was let out of jail on Monday morning.
McCollough, a four-year starter, has 23 tackles in five games this season for the No. 6 Volunteers (5-0, 2-0 SEC).
Head coach Josh Heupel informed reporters on Monday that he had no update on McCollough’s condition.
“We learned of it really late yesterday and as we gather more information I’ll have more for you,” Heupel said.