Former USC football star facing up to 10 years in prison

Former NFL and USC football linebacker Rey Maualuga is facing up to 10 years in prison for a DUI, per TMZ Sports. Maualuga is facing two felony charges and one misdemeanor, according to the report.

The full charges against Maualuga are felony first degree wanton endangerment, felony first degree criminal mischief and misdemeanor DUI. His trial is officially scheduled to take place on April 6, 2022.

The former Trojan was arrested on Aug. 11 after allegedly driving his car through mailboxes and front yards in a Kentucky neighborhood. He ultimately crashed into a parked car and tree, causing significant damage.

Police say when they questioned the former USC star at the scene, he was “sweating profusely” and admitted to drinking “a few” alcoholic beverages before getting behind the wheel.

This not the first time the former USC football player has faced DUI charges. He was also arrested for drunk driving back in 2010, when he was still in the NFL. Additionally, he was arrested another time for allegedly attacking an employee at a Miami nightclub in 2017.

Drafted out of USC in the second round of the 2009 NFL draft, Rey Maualuga spent nearly his entire nine-year pro career with the Cincinnati Bengals. He played one year with the Dolphins in 2017 before retiring.

Maualuga’s struggles to stay out of trouble off the field have stained what was otherwise a solid NFL career. He showed clear talent while in the league, finishing with a total of 607 tackles and six forced fumbles.

Maualuga had a successful college career with USC, finishing ninth in the Heisman Trophy vote during the 2008 season. In four years with the Trojans, he totaled 273 tackles (22.5 for loss) and nine sacks.

Maualuga was around for the final few years of the Pete Carroll era, making the Rose Bowl every season. He was a freshman in 2005 when the Trojans lost to Texas in the national title game.