Read Sports Blogger Ryan Ginn’s take on the incident here
LSU running back commitment Jeremy Hill was arrested Wednesday on charges of oral sexual battery, according to the Baton Rouge Police Department.
Hill, who has committed to play football at LSU, is accused along with 18-year-old Avery Tate of pressuring a 14-year old girl to perform oral sex in the locker room of Redemptorist High School, where Hill is currently a senior.
Sgt. Don Kelly, BRPD spokesman, said Hill could face up to 10 years in prison if convicted.
The incident occurred on Dec. 7 but was not reported to Redemptorist officials until January 4.
Both Hill and Tate were booked into East Baton Rouge Parish Prison Wednesday afternoon. Hill posted $50,000 bail Wednesday night.
LSU didn’t comment on the situation.
Lutcher wide receiver Jarvis Landry, a fellow Class of 2012 commit, said the last time he talked to Hill was a week or two ago and that he was aware of the situation.
“I knew about the situation, the investigation and things like that,” Landry said. “I kind of thought everything was going to be fine. I don’t want to say died down, but that the families had come to some kind of conclusion about this.”
O.P. Walker defensive end Anthony Johnson, another LSU commitment who is close to HIll, said the news was tough to swallow.
“It was devastating to hear,” Johnson said. “He was in the wrong place at the wrong time. The coaches are taking it pretty well right now.”
Johnson, Hill, Redemptorist offensive lineman La’El Collins, Johnson and Landry are all members of the “The Fam,” a group of LSU Class of 2012 commitments.
“He’s a wonderful guy, a great football player and a great brother,” Johnson said.
Landry was also taken aback by the charges.
“I was in shock,” Landry said. “It’s hard trying to imagine that a friend, more like a brother, someone that’s part of ‘The Fam,’ being arrested. I know it’s overwhelming for him and his family right now. At the same time I wish everything would get better.”
Hill, Collins and Redemptorist coach Guy Mistretta didn’t immediately return calls.
Sports Writer Michael Lambert and Sports Contributor Hunter Paniagua contributed to this report.
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