When trying to determine whether or not Baylor University (BU) knew about allegations of violence against Sam Ukwuachu when it accepted his transfer, it is important to consider whether or not the school he was leaving knew.

According to ESPN, Boise State University (BSU) officials deemed untrue reports that Ukwuachu was dismissed from its football team after a female student accused him of being violent with her. Ukwuachu's alleged victim at BSU was his girlfriend and she testified at his trial last week for sexually assaulting a female student at BU after he transferred.

She testified that Ukwuachu was violent with her on numerous occasions, but also that she never told the police or BSU officials. Ukwuachu was found guilty on one count of sexual assault and was sentenced to 180 days in county jail, as well as 10 years of felony probation of 400 hours of community service.

Court documents obtained and detailed by ESPN.com indicated Chris Petersen, who coached BSU's football team at the time, dismissed Ukwuachu after his freshman season in 2012 for "erratic behavior." Shortly before, BSU's medical director diagnosed Ukwuachu with major depressive disorder, ESPN reported.

Petersen, who is now the head football coach at Washington, told ESPN last week that he called BU head football coach Art Briles when Ukwuachu was going to transfer and "thoroughly appraised" his counterpart on the football player's "disciplinary record and dismissal." Briles has outright denied having any knowledge of Ukwuachu being accused of domestic violence.

In a statement, Briles said his understanding of why Ukwuachu, a Pearland, Texas native, wanted to transfer was because he was depressed and wanted to play college football closer to home. Briles also said the "rocky relationship with his girlfriend which contributed to his depression." But the "disciplinary record" is not quite clear, as Briles called it "insubordination."

Texas Monthly published an in-depth report that first suggested BU accepted Ukwuachu's transfer fully aware of the allegations against him and knew about incidents in which Ukwuachu abused drugs or alcohol, likely related to his depression.

ESPN's most recent report indicated Ukwuachu failed a drug test a month before he was dismissed and admitted himself to a crisis center around the same time because he was having suicidal thoughts.

A month later, Petersen dismissed Ukwuachu when he indicated he wanted to attend school closer to home. Ukwuachu then announced he would be transferring to BU.

Related