Parker Kingston has been charged with first-degree felony rape.
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According to ESPN, prosecutors said the wide receiver for Brigham Young University is being held without bail in St. George, Utah. The 21-year-old is scheduled to appear in the state's Fifth Judicial District Court on Friday.
The Associated Press reports that it is unclear whether Kingston has an attorney. He has not immediately responded to the outlet's request for a comment. A message left for his family has not been returned.
An Investigation Into Parker Kingston Began Last Year
In a news release, prosecutors shared that the investigation into Kingston began in Feb. 2025. A woman, who was 20 years old at the time of the alleged incident, told officers at St. George Regional Hospital that the football player assaulted her on Feb. 23.
"Detectives with the St. George Police Department then gathered digital and forensic evidence," the attorney's office said. "They also conducted interviews with the parties involved and other witnesses. The information was then turned over to the Washington County Attorney's Office for review."
Kingston was the Cougars' leading receiver last year. He caught 67 passes for 928 yards and had five touchdowns. He also rushed for 119 yards on 25 carries and three touchdowns. On special teams, he returned 17 punts for 230 yards and a touchdown.
Kingston helped lead the team to a 12-2 record, 8-1 in conference play. The team reached the Big 12 Championship Game for the first time in the school's history.
However, the Cougars lost the title to Texas Tech. However, BYU did emerge victorious over Georgia Tech in the Pop-Tarts Bowl, defeating the Yellow Jackets 25-21.
BYU Has Made a Statement About Kingston
BYU's athletic department released a statement regarding the charges against Kingston.
"BYU became aware today of the arrest of Parker Kingston," it said. "The university takes any allegation very seriously and will cooperate with law enforcement. Due to federal and university privacy laws and practices for students, the university will not be able to provide additional comment."
This is the second rape allegation against a BYU football player in the last year. A civil lawsuit was filed against former player Jake Retzlaff last May. Both parties agreed to dismiss the case a month later, meaning it could not be refiled.
No criminal charges were filed against the quarterback.
