A football player for the University of Alabama (UA) was arrested on Monday and charged with sexual assault in his home county.
Antonio Ross, a 19-year-old preferred walk-on wide receiver and graduate of Alexandria High School in Calhoun County, also known as “Tonio” Ross, received second-degree sodomy charges after officers arrested him in his Weaver home.
Ross is a true freshman. According to CBS Sports, he received offers from other FBS schools and committed to Liberty University before former head coach Hugh Freeze left to coach at Auburn. Upon Freeze’s departure, Ross elected to reopen his recruitment and walked on at Alabama.
Though Anniston Police Department was initially investigating the case, investigators now suspect the alleged assault occurred in Weaver and involves a female minor.
In Alabama, someone commits second-degree sodomy when someone “16 years or older, engages in deviate sexual intercourse with another person who is less than 16 and more than 12 years old.”
Officials booked Ross in the Calhoun County Jail with a $50,000 bond.
1819 News reached out to UA for comment on Ross’ arrest.
UA assistant athletics director and head of football communications Josh Maxson issued a statement on behalf of the university, saying, “Tonio Ross is no longer part of the program and has been removed from campus.”
UA Athletics also removed his profile from the football roster.
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