Earlier this month, Auburn football wide receiver Malcolm Simmons was arrested on a charge of domestic assault with strangulation or suffocation. Since the arrest, Auburn has declined to make any announcement about the fate of Simmons. He was arrested on July 16, and his preliminary hearing is set for August 13.
Today, head coach Hugh Freeze met with the media for a press conference ahead of the start of fall camp, and the first question asked by the media was whether or not there was any update on the status of Malcolm Simmons.
"Based on the information that I've been given from our campus administration who have knowledge of the situation, he's been cleared to participate in team activities," Freeze said, per Auburn Undercover. Freeze went on to say that was all the information he had on the situation when asked if anyone had spoken to Simmons' girlfriend.
According to Auburn Undercover's Jason Caldwell, after Simmons was arrested on domestic violence charges, his case went to Auburn University's Office of Equal Opportunity Compliance (EOC), which is where all issues related to Title IX are handled. Simmons was placed on an Interim Notice of Removal, meaning he wasn't allowed on campus for anything other than final exams or to meet with the EOC.
Next came the Informal Resolution Process, the Title IX department's investigation. After interviews with the alleged victim, a witness and Simmons, they found Simmons not responsible. There is a probationary period until the issues are resolved in court.
As a freshman and a member of the famed Freeze Four, Simmons caught 40 passes for 451 yards and three touchdowns. After a successful freshman campaign, he is expected to be a starter for the Tigers this fall.