Two Ex-Nebraska Football Players Face Sexual Assault Allegations

Former Nebraska football players Katerian LeGrone and Andre Hunt were arrested on Tuesday.

Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Two former University of Nebraska football players have been arrested after a reported off-campus sexual assault in Lincoln.

Lincoln police said Katerian LeGrone, 19, and Andre Hunt, 20, were arrested at their residence Tuesday and taken to the Lancaster County Jail.

LeGrone was arrested on suspicion of first-degree sexual assault, and Hunt was charged with aiding and abetting first-degree sexual assault. The charges stem from a reported assault on Aug. 25.

A Title IX investigation prompted university officials to suspend both men for 2 1/2 years for violating the university’s sexual misconduct policy. The redshirt freshmen were also suspended indefinitely from all team activities shortly after the reported incident, although Nebraska athletics officials have refused to say why. The school said Wednesday the players are no longer on the roster.

Hunt, a wide receiver from Palm Dale, California, and LaGrone, a tight end from Atlanta, appealed the university’s suspension Tuesday. Attorneys for the men have said their clients did nothing wrong.

LaGrone’s attorney, Kaz Long, told The Associated Press he considers it “rather bizarre” the two were arrested shortly after ESPN published a story revealing the university’s investigation. He questioned why authorities waited to arrest the men when the accuser reported the incident more than three months ago.

An attorney for Hunt didn’t immediately respond to a phone message seeking comment.

Lincoln police spokesman Luke Bonkiewicz said felony investigations can be complicated and time-consuming, and the decision to make an arrest happens “independent of any outside influence or pressure.”

Authorities may release additional details later Wednesday after Hunt and LeGrone appear at a bond hearing.