Alabama football coach Kalen DeBoer issued a statement Thursday after former Washington running back Tylin “Tybo” Rogers was arrested and charged with two counts of rape.
Rogers was accused with two separate counts of rape. He was suspended indefinitely by Washington following his arrest. Rogers played in the College Football Playoff for Washington, coached by DeBoer, after the alleged first incident in October. Rogers missed the Pac-12 title game against Oregon.
“While I am not able to comment specifically on the situation involving an individual at my former institution because of federal privacy laws and the ongoing criminal matters, I do want to make it clear that I take any allegation of sexual misconduct very seriously,” DeBoer said in a statement issued by Alabama athletics. “I always have and always will follow established institutional policies and procedures to ensure prompt reporting and proper handling of allegations by the appropriate authorities.”
Later on in the day, DeBoer held a spring football press conference with local media. He was asked what went into the decision-making process that put Rogers on the field after the alleged crimes.
DeBoer didn’t give further clarity.
“Yeah, I released a statement,” DeBoer said. “I understand there’s more to it down the road, but I can’t really comment on that right now, I don’t have anything to add.”
According to the charging documents in King County, Washington, the first alleged assault was reported to law enforcement on Oct. 28. The second allegedly occurred between Halloween and Thanksgiving of 2023.
The charging documents note that Rogers was removed from the travel roster for UW’s appearance in the Pac-12 championship on Dec. 1.
Former Washington and Alabama offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb told a reporter at the time, “We’re working through some things, some challenges he’s had off the field,” according to the charging documents. Rogers had resumed team activities by December 15, including two CFP games.
Following Rogers’ arrest, the University of Washington issued a statement, according to Christian Caple of On Montlake.
