WACO, Texas (AP) — A one-time All-American who transferred to play football at Baylor University was convicted of sexually assaulting a fellow student athlete in 2013.
A jury in Texas district court found 22-year-old Sam Ukwuachu guilty Thursday of one count of sexual assault.
Prosecutors say Ukwuachu sexually assaulted a former Baylor women's soccer player at his Waco apartment. Ukwuachu has said the encounter was consensual.
On Friday, coach Art Briles told assembled media in a news conference that he was unaware of Ukwuachu's violent past before adding him to the team.
Former Boise State coach Chris Petersen, now at Washington, issued a statement contradicting Briles: "After Sam Ukwuachu was dismissed from the Boise State football program and expressed an interest in transferring to Baylor, I initiated a call with coach Art Briles.