The Brigham Young University (BYU) football program is facing both an institutional and athletic crisis following the confirmation of the arrest of its star player, Parker Trent Kingston. The 21-year-old wide receiver was taken into custody in Washington County, Utah, on a charge of first-degree felony rape stemming from an incident that allegedly occurred in February 2025.
The arrest is the result of a year-long investigation led by the St. George Police Department. According to court records, the complaint was initially filed by a woman at St. George Regional Hospital in February of last year. After months of interviews and evidence collection, the Washington County Attorney’s Office formally filed charges this week. Kingston remains in custody at the county jail without bail, and his initial appearance before the Fifth District Court is scheduled for this Friday, February 13.
Russell Wilson left speechless by Ciara’s Super Bowl ring question
BYU Athletics responded swiftly, though with legal caution: “The university takes any allegation very seriously and will cooperate with law enforcement,” the department said in an official statement, citing federal privacy laws (FERPA) to limit further comment at this time.
Who is Parker Trent Kingston?
Until his arrest, Parker Kingston had been a cornerstone of the BYU Cougars’ offense. A graduate of Roy High School, Kingston emerged during the 2025 season as the team’s most productive wide receiver. His statistics reflect a multifaceted impact on the field:
- Receiving production: He recorded 66 receptions for 924 yards and five touchdowns.
- Rushing contribution: He added 123 rushing yards and three touchdowns on the ground.
- Special teams: He stood out as a return specialist, scoring a touchdown on a punt return.
Because of his versatility, Kingston was projected to be the primary focal point of the offense for the 2026 season. However, his athletic future now hangs in the balance given the seriousness of the allegations, which add to a series of recent incidents that have tarnished the image of athletes at this Mormon institution. Kingston’s case recalls recent precedents such as Jake Retzlaff, who left the program following similar accusations, and Kason Krebs, who was recently dismissed for lewd conduct.