Parker Kingston no longer with BYU, more updates released in his off-field saga

The Parker Kingston saga is not going to have a happy ending, but that much was apparent as soon as the original news broke earlier this week.

Kingston was arrested under charge of first-degree felony rape on Wednesday as a result of a year-long investigation of an incident that occurred in February of 2025. Last season's leading receiver for the 12-2 BYU football program, Kingston had previously announced plans to return for his senior season with the team in 2026 before his arrest.

Now, following his court hearing and a posted bail of $100,000, Kingston is no longer enrolled at Brigham Young University and will not return to play for head coach Kalani Sitake and BYU football.

Per a statement from the university, “University administration and athletic administration, including BYU head coach Kalani Sitake, were only made aware of the investigation and allegations after Kingston's arrest this past Wednesday.”

There was no cover-up, no conspiracy, and no attempt to squeeze the last bit of production out of Kingston before his eventual arrest, the BYU football team and associated university were unaware of Kingston's sexual encounter and the ensuing investigation over the past year, only learning of the situation at the event of his arrest.

The second such scandal involving a BYU football player in the past year, following what would eventually lead to the suspension and transfer of former Cougar QB Jake Retzlaff, whose six-game suspension for honor code violations compelled Retzlaff to transfer to Tulane, where he would finish his college career.

Retlzaff was cleared of all criminal charges. By all appearances, Kingston's circumstances inspire far less optimism of a similar fate.

For an institution like Brigham Young University, it's troubling to see two sexual scandals facing student-athletes associated with the athletic department. The school holds itself to a notoriously high standard regarding chastity, lawfulness, and respect -- so much so that its code of conduct, the honor code, has long been a barrier to entry for athletes who are not members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

In recent years, especially with the benefit of deep-pocketted NIL donors, more high level athletes are opting to attend the university even with the honor code. I see these recent events as a reminder that when sport becomes the sole focus for the school's athletics, the university's reputation begins to lose its previously rock-solid identity.

Let's hope this saga has been a wake-up call for all observing.