Brigham Young University’s football program is facing another wave of scrutiny and uncertainty after star wide receiver Parker Kingston was arrested Wednesday and charged with first-degree felony rape stemming from an alleged incident that occurred nearly a year ago in St. George, Utah. The Washington County Attorney’s Office confirmed the charge in a statement, setting off a chain reaction within the BYU community and beyond.
The case, which has been under investigation for almost a year, began when a 20-year-old woman reported to officers at St. George Regional Hospital on February 23, 2025, that she had been sexually assaulted by Kingston. According to police and prosecutors, detectives with the St. George Police Department collected digital and forensic evidence and conducted interviews with the woman, Kingston, and other witnesses. The information was subsequently turned over to the Washington County Attorney’s Office, which filed the charge earlier this week.
Kingston, now 21, was arrested in Provo and transferred to Washington County Jail in Hurricane, where he is currently being held without bail. His initial court appearance is scheduled for Friday, February 14, 2026, at Utah’s 5th Judicial District Court. Jail records confirm Kingston’s incarceration, and as of Wednesday evening, the charges had yet to be officially entered into the court system, though the attorney’s office has confirmed the upcoming hearing.
According to charging documents, Kingston went to the woman’s residence in St. George during the early hours of February 23, 2025. Prosecutors allege that the woman had made it clear in online communications prior to the meetup that she did not want to have sex and set boundaries with Kingston. The two watched a movie and engaged in some sexual activity, after which Kingston began to fall asleep. The woman left the room to get ready for bed, but upon her return, Kingston allegedly initiated sexual activity again. The woman told police she repeatedly told Kingston to stop and tried to push him away, but he continued. Four days later, she reported the alleged assault to police at the hospital.
Investigators say communications obtained from Kingston’s cellphone after the incident suggest he went to her apartment with the intention of having sexual intercourse. When questioned by law enforcement, Kingston claimed the encounter was consensual. The case has been meticulously built over months, involving digital evidence, forensic analysis, and multiple interviews.
BYU acknowledged the arrest in a statement released Wednesday by its athletic department. “BYU became aware today of the arrest of Parker Kingston,” the statement read. “The university takes any allegation very seriously and will cooperate with law enforcement. Due to federal and university privacy laws and practices for students, the university will not be able to provide additional comment.” The statement reflects the university’s strict adherence to privacy laws and the seriousness with which it treats such allegations, especially in light of its Honor Code and institutional values.
Kingston’s arrest marks the second high-profile sexual assault allegation involving a BYU football player in the past year. In May of the previous year, former quarterback Jake Retzlaff was accused of rape in a civil lawsuit. That case was dismissed in June after both parties agreed to drop the lawsuit with prejudice, meaning it could not be refiled. While Retzlaff did not face criminal charges, he admitted to breaking BYU’s Honor Code, which strictly prohibits premarital sex among other behaviors. As a result, he was handed a seven-game suspension by the university. Rather than serve the suspension, Retzlaff withdrew from BYU and transferred to Tulane to finish his college career.
The repeated occurrence of such high-profile cases has cast a long shadow over BYU’s football program, which is known for its rigorous standards and the affiliation with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The university’s Honor Code is regarded as one of the strictest in collegiate athletics, and violations can result in significant disciplinary actions, including suspension or expulsion.
Kingston, originally from Layton, Utah, has been a standout for the Cougars since joining the program in 2022. After two seasons as a supporting receiver, he broke out in 2024, leading the team with 928 receiving yards on 67 catches, three rushing touchdowns, and three punt return touchdowns over the last two seasons. In 2025, he led BYU with 66 receptions for 924 yards and five touchdowns, and added 199 rushing yards and a touchdown. He also contributed as a punt returner, with 17 returns for 230 yards and a touchdown. Kingston was widely expected to be BYU’s top receiver again in 2026 and was seen as a potential NFL prospect, especially after announcing his intention to return for his senior year following the Cougars’ 25-21 win over Georgia Tech in the Pop-Tarts Bowl.
Just days before his arrest, Kingston was seen courtside at a BYU men’s basketball game, apparently engaged to be married, as he pointed to a ring on his companion’s left hand. The engagement announcement was posted on social media but has since been deleted, likely in response to the unfolding legal situation.
The Washington County Attorney’s Office emphasized its commitment to handling sexual assault allegations with the utmost seriousness. “The Washington County Attorney’s Office takes allegations of sexual assault seriously,” the office stated, urging anyone with additional information to come forward.
As the legal process unfolds, questions swirl about Kingston’s future, both on and off the field. The university and its athletic department have indicated they will fully cooperate with law enforcement, but have declined to provide further details due to privacy laws. For now, Kingston remains in custody, awaiting his day in court, and the BYU football program faces yet another period of uncertainty as it navigates the fallout from these serious allegations.
With Kingston’s court appearance set for Friday, the BYU community and college football world will be watching closely. The outcome of this case could have significant implications for Kingston, the football program, and the university’s ongoing efforts to uphold its standards and reputation. For now, all eyes are on St. George as the legal proceedings begin to unfold.