How does UVA Athletics handle a sexual assault accusation internally?

I’ve got an inquiry in to University Communications at the University of Virginia on the process for handling a sexual assault accusation against a student-athlete, after doing some research, and coming upon the rather strict policy adopted by the NFL in the aftermath of the infamous Ray Rice case back in 2014.

I think it would be helpful to know how the University handles accusations of the nature currently involving former UVA Football wideout Jahmal Edrine, who was indicted by an Albemarle County grand jury last week on rape and abduction charges, in an incident reported to police on Aug. 25, 2025.

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ICYMI

• Albemarle County: UVA Football player charged with rape, abduction

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We now know, from information presented in court in a bond hearing on Wednesday, that Albemarle County Police searched Edrine’s apartment on Aug. 25, 2025, coincidentally, the Monday before the 2025 season opener, five days later, on a Saturday night, a 48-7 win over Coastal Carolina, in which Edrine had three catches, one for a TD.

We can’t presume that UVA Athletics would have had to have been aware that an investigation into the activities of a football player was under way, but then, come on, right?

If not then, though, we also know, from the court proceedings, that the victim in the case filed a Title IX complaint involving Edrine on Oct. 8 – so, if not in the days leading up to the season opener, the school, and the athletics department, knew midseason.

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ICYMI

• UVA Football player charged with rape, abduction: Who knew what, when?

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I don’t know, yet, what UVA policy is when it comes to these kinds of matters, but we know what the NFL does – per its policy, the league will conduct its own investigation into allegations of domestic violence independent of the criminal-justice and legal systems, and depending on the status of the investigation, a player may be placed on paid leave as that process plays out.

There are notable examples in which the NFL decided to hand down suspensions in the absence of criminal charges, convictions or even an arrest.

Among the for instances:

• In a case predating the 2014 policy update, former Pittsburgh Steelers QB Ben Rothlisberger was suspended for six games (later reduced to four) in 2010 for violating the league’s personal conduct policy following sexual assault allegations.
• Former Dallas Cowboys star tailback Ezekiel Elliott was suspended for six games without pay in 2017 following a year-long investigation into allegations of domestic violence.
• Former #1 overall pick Jameis Winston was suspended for the first three games of the 2018 season following an investigation into allegations that he touched a female Uber driver in an inappropriate and sexual manner in 2016.
• Former Clemson star Deshaun Watson got an 11-game suspension in 2022 following accusations of sexual misconduct involving more than two dozen massage therapists.
• Former Baltimore Ravens kicker Justin Tucker was suspended for 10 games in 2025 following accusations of sexual misconduct by 16 massage therapists.

I bring these cases up because, it stands out that the NFL didn’t wait, in any of the above cases, for the criminal-justice system to do what it does to get in the way of dealing with situations where players were accused of bad things.

Which is why I think it would help us all if we know what happens at UVA when the school is made aware of an allegation of this nature.

• Does the University or the athletics department initiate its own review?
• Or is the policy to wait for a criminal investigation and eventually a court determination before taking any kind of University action?

The NFL may be able to be more forceful because its personal conduct policy would be something that would be collectively bargained with the NFL Players Association.

I suspect that it may very well be different with a college or university because of federal laws regarding students, and the fact that student-athletes aren’t treated as employees, even though, in the new day and age of NIL and revenue-sharing, many, notably, Power 4 conference football players, are compensated for their efforts.

I’ve been waiting for the reply from University Communications on my questions here; in case you were wondering, that’s why I wrote this piece today, with incomplete information, because I’m hoping that this hitting the Googler will spur a response.

More archives: Jahmal Edrine case

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• Bond set for former UVA Football wideout Jahmal Edrine in rape, abduction case
• Jahmal Edrine attorney comes out firing
• UVA Football: Jahmal Edrine case is a cautionary tale for ‘speed dating’ in portal recruiting
• I asked UVA for a comment on the victim in the Edrine case: You already know the response