Details emerge on former Alabama quarterback's aggravated assault arrest

Former Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Jay Barker was arrested on Saturday on felony aggravated assault charges. He was held on a $10,000 bond, and is scheduled to appear in court on March 22. At the time of his arrest, public records showed that he was being held on one count of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, and he was placed on a 12-hour hold.

On Sunday, new details emerged about Barker’s arrest. According to a report by The Tennessean, Barker attempted to hit a group of people with his vehicle.

“Documents on file with Metro Nashville General Sessions Court said the people in the vehicle were leaving a party around 1:30 a.m. Saturday,” Cassandra Stephenson of The Tennessean wrote. “As they pulled into the driveway of a nearby home, Barker allegedly reversed his vehicle ‘at a high rate of speed attempting to hit them, but missed,’ according to the arrest affidavit.

“The vehicle’s occupants contacted police after Barker drove away from the home, the affidavit states. Police made contact with Barker when he later drove by the house. The passengers of the vehicle and an unidentified number of unnamed witnesses told police Barker “intentionally” tried to strike them.”

Barker was arrested at 4:10 a.m. CT, and was booked at 4:52 a.m. CT.

Barker had an impressive career at Alabama

In 1991, Barker saw his first action with Alabama, playing sparingly. He completed 33 of his 66 passes as a freshman. As a sophomore in 1992, Barker completed 54.3 percent of his passes for 1,614 yards, seven touchdowns and nine interceptions. That year, Barker led Alabama to a national championship.

Barker completed 56.9 percent of his collegiate pass attempts, throwing for 5,689 yards, 26 touchdowns and 24 interceptions. He won the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award in 1994, and was named a first team All-American, first team All-SEC, and SEC Player of the Year in the same season.

Barker left Alabama as the Crimson Tide’s all-time winningest quarterback with a 35-2-1 record as a starter.

Following his collegiate career, the Green Bay Packers selected Barker in the fifth round of the 1995 NFL Draft. He never found his footing in the NFL, spending time with the Packers, Patriots, and the Panthers. Barker then spent four years in the CFL, playing for the Toronto Argonauts. He then played one year with the XFL’s Birmingham Thunderbolts.

On3’s Simon Gibbs contributed to this report.