Report: New evidence emerges in the Jaylen McCollough felony assault case

New evidence has emerged in the felony assault case involving Tennessee defensive back Jaylen McCollough.

According to a report from Outkick, the Volunteers defensive back has been cleared to play by an independent board review at Tennessee, but the final decision will be up to Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel and the athletics department.

“The attorney for Tennessee starting defensive back Jaylen McCollough has entered new evidence regarding the felony aggravated assault charge that sheds new light on a case that has kept McCollough sidelined for the past two games,” wrote Trey Wallace of Outkick. “Due to the new evidence submitted, McCollough has now been cleared to play by an independent review board at Tennessee.”

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However, Josh Heupel and the Tennessee athletic department have the final say of whether McCollough will return to the team and play as the legal process sorts out, and in a press conference on Thursday the Volunteers coach stated, “He has been with us here the last week. We will see,” in regard to the defensive back’s status.

The original police report for the incident stated a man said he had been drinking with friends at an apartment complex when he went to retrieve items from his vehicle, according to the Knoxville News Sentinel. He returned to the building and went to the wrong apartment, knocking on McCollough’s door instead of his friends’.

When no one answered, the man stated that he stepped inside the apartment. He immediately realized it was the wrong one and apologized, turning to leave before being pursued by an unknown male, presumed to be McCollough. 

The man said he apologized once again, but also told McCollough he “didn’t have to be a (expletive) about it.” The man then tried to leave, but was struck in the face and fell down a staircase before losing consciousness. He later regained consciousness as he said a male and female helped him to his feet.

Police said when McCollough returned to the scene, his right hand was in bandages, with blood showing on his hand, according to the report. The report also described the other man as having a bloody, swollen mouth and missing teeth when they arrived, and said police discovered blood on the staircase.

McCollough was taken into custody and did not answer any questions at the scene.

Per Outkick, the new filed motions noted, “that McCollough feared for his well being and was under the impression that Spencer broke into the apartment. McCollough and his roommate Warren Burrell (also a Tennessee defensive back) asked Spencer to leave the apartment numerous times. After Spencer backed up just outside the door, it’s alleged that Spencer tried to re-enter the apartment, which is when McCollough punched him one time. 

“According to the motion, Spencer told police he’d been drinking that day and was holding a bottle of vodka while giving police his statement.”

As for the future of the case, preliminary hearing on the case has been set for Nov. 18, per Outkick. Additionally, McCollough’s attorney suggested Nov. 1 as the date to hear the new motion.

Regardless, it’ll be interesting to see whether Josh Heupel and Tennessee decide to allow Jaylen McCollough to return to the team in light of the new developments. The Volunteers have a tough game against Kentucky on the docket this weekend, and a huge showdown with Georgia to follow.