BYU star wide receiver arrested for felony rape charges, unlikely to play in 2026

For the second straight year, a BYU football player has been charged with sexual misconduct in the offseason. This time, the alleged perpetrator is senior wide receiver Parker Kingston, who was arrested on Wednesday for first-degree felony rape charges from an incident that was said to have occurred in February of 2025 in Washington County, Utah.

This news arrives after a year-long investigation from the Washington Country sheriff's office, which was notified by a woman claiming Kingston had raped her on February 23, 2025, per release.

Further information arrived from the attorney's office, stating: "Detectives with the St. George Police Department then gathered digital and forensic evidence. They also conducted interviews with the parties involved and other witnesses. The information was then turned over to the Washington County Attorney's Office for review."

The BYU athletic department became aware of the event on the same day as Kingston's arrest, meaning the team didn't allow Kingston to suit up for the team with prior knowledge of his off-field actions. The AD has volunteered their resources and full cooperation to the investigation.

An incredibly disappointing break for the BYU football program, which, less than a year earlier, dealt with another rape allegation with former quarterback Jake Retzlaff, who was eventually cleared of legal charges, but transferred to Tulane after admitting to the pre-marital sexual encounter, a violation of the university's honor code.

For Retzlaff's incident, the quarterback was suspended for six games. Kingston's charges are first-degree felony rape, a sentence that could have him incarcerated for five years to life, should he be found guilty.

Some topics stretch beyond the scope of sport, and taking a moment to reactionarily consider ramifications for the BYU football team feels inappropriate before more facts are released regarding Kingston's case.

The Cougars' leading received in 2025, Kingston's plans of returning for another season in Provo may not come to fruition.