Sam Ukwuachu: Florida, Will Muschamp Inquired with Boise State, Learned of Domestic Abuse Allegations
ByBaylor University may not have been the first school to inquire with Boise State University about Sam Ukwuachu, as a new report indicates Florida came first.
Citing unnamed sources who are now former football staff members at the University of Florida, Thayer Evans and Pete Thamel reported for Sports Illustrated that the Gators passed on Ukwuachu when they learned of allegations of domestic abuse against him.
One former Florida staffer told SI former head coach Will Muschamp "wouldn't touch" Ukwuachu in May 2013 when the standout defensive end was seeking a transfer. Muschamp, who is now the defensive coordinator at Auburn, reportedly heard about two violent incidents involving Ukwuachu and his then-girlfriend.
Washington head football coach Chris Petersen, then the coach at Boise State, recently told ESPN he "thoroughly appraised" Baylor head football coach Art Briles on why he dismissed Ukwuachu and why the football player was seeking a transfer. The content of that conversation, according to Briles, was that Ukwuachu was depressed and his condition was apparently exacerbated by an unhealthy relationship and homesickness.
Here's what Petersen said about Ukwuachu, Baylor, etc. pic.twitter.com/6JzbcHKapj
— Christian Caple (@ChristianCaple) August 25, 2015
The former Florida football staffers did not indicate if Ukwuachu wanted to go to Florida, but mentioned the two sides may have had some sort of correspondence. What was clear was that Muschamp inquired with Boise State and was told about the domestic abuse allegations.
From the SI report: "Ukwuachu also wasn't completely forthcoming with Florida about his relationship with his former girlfriend, the former Gators athletic department employee said. But the Boise State athletic department employee was clear about Ukwuachu's issues, according to the former Florida staffer."
The Pearland, Texas native was accused of raping a now-former Baylor female soccer player in Oct. 2013, just a few months after announcing his transfer. During his trial for that incident, Ukwuachu's ex-girlfriend at Boise State testified that he physically abused her multiple times. She never filed a report and he never faced charges, but speculation continues to swirl about what Briles and the Baylor football staff could have known.
In the midst of the uncertainty, Baylor Chancellor and President Ken Starr announced the school would conduct an internal investigation to find out.
