KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — University of Tennessee safety Jaylen McCollough has pleaded guilty to misdemeanor simple assault in connection with a 2022 incident in which he punched a stranger at a Fort Sanders apartment.
Knox County Criminal Court Judge Hector Sanchez placed the 23-year-old Georgia native on diversion Wednesday for what amounts to a year. He had been indicted on a count of aggravated assault.
As part of the plea agreement, McCollough must pay nearly $22,000 in restitution to the victim, Zion Spencer, records state.
McCollough is to serve the year on unsupervised probation. If he pays the restitution and remains trouble-free over the year, the case can be dismissed, records state.
Spencer suffered serious injuries to his mouth and teeth.
McCollough, who graduated in December 2022 but continued to play for the Vols last fall, encountered Spencer when he entered a Fort Sanders apartment Oct. 9, 2022, a Sunday.
Spencer told authorities he'd gone into the wrong apartment while intoxicated. After a confrontation inside, he testified that McCollough ended up punching him outside the apartment, causing serious injuries.
Last year, McCollough closed his college career out with his best season, starting all 13 games, according to UT.
During his time at UT he played in 60 games, tying Jerome Carvin for most appearances by a position player in Tennessee history, according to UT Sports.
