UCLA receiver Delon Hurt facing sexual battery charges, suspended from team

The Los Angeles Times first reported the reason behind Hurt's recent absence from the team

Another Bruin is facing legal trouble this offseason.

Wide receiver Delon Hurt has been suspended from UCLA football following a sexual battery charge tied to an alleged November 2019 incident, the Los Angeles Times first reported Tuesday.

"We take such allegations very seriously," said UCLA Athletics spokesperson Scott Markley in a statement provided to All Bruins. "As such, Delon has been suspended from the team pending the outcome of legal proceedings."

Oral copulation and sexual battery charges were first filed against Hurt in May – after which he surrendered to authorities and pled not guilty – and a preliminary hearing is scheduled for Thursday. UCLA Athletics would not say when Hurt's suspension began, but he has not been present at all during the team's fall camp and was missing in the last few weeks of spring camp as well.

Hurt is facing one charge of oral copulation against the victim’s will by means of force, violence, duress, menace or fear of immediate and unlawful bodily injury on the victim or another person, according to court records acquired by the LA Times. The documents also showed Hurt was charged with "sexual arousal, sexual gratification, or sexual abuse, (causing) another, against that person’s will while that person is unlawfully restrained.”

Should Hurt be found guilty, he could face up to 12 years in prison.

With Hurt away from the team moving forward, the Bruins will be down their No. 3 receiver from last season, as he accumulated 122 yards and a touchdown off eight catches in 2020.

Hurt's attorney, Joshua Ritter, told the LA Times his client was wrongfully accused.

“These allegations are 100% false,” Ritter told the LA Times. “We will prove that in court. These accusations are the product of a scorned individual who is motivated by petty jealousy and vindictiveness. Keep in mind, these allegations are more than a year old and completely uncorroborated. Make no mistake, the truth will come out.”

Hurt is not the only UCLA football player to be locked in a legal battle at the moment. Left guard Paul Grattan is currently facing misdemeanor assault charges that date back to a Feb. 2020 bar fight in Pennsylvania, but he has not been suspended and UCLA Athletics has reassured he is in good standing at both his former and present universities.

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