Former Western Kentucky tight end and 2016 NFL draft prospect Tyler Higbee was arrested on Sunday morning and booked into Warren County Regional Jail at 2:41 a.m. on multiple charges.
Zach Greenwell of the Bowling Green Daily News reported the news and indicated Higbee faces charges of second-degree fleeing or evading police, second-degree assault and alcohol intoxication in a public place.
On Tuesday, Brian Lowder, Higbee's attorney, told Ian Rapoport of NFL Network that his client will plead not guilty, claiming self-defense. Lowder told Rapoport that the alleged victim "shoved [Higbee's] girlfriend after harassing her, leading Higbee to throw one punch."
The 23-year-old, per Greenwell, missed five games in 2015 due to a knee injury he is still rehabbing, yet he managed to rack up 38 receptions for 563 yards and eight touchdowns as a senior.
Higbee was measured at 6'6" and weighed 249 pounds at the NFL Scouting Combine, per his NFL.com draft profile. The analysis therein by expert Lance Zierlein compared Higbee to Miami Dolphins Pro Bowl tight end Jordan Cameron.
Jon Ledyard of the Draft Wire considered Higbee the best prospect at his position in the 2016 draft class but felt his arrest would be a huge detriment:
Jon Ledyard @LedyardNFLDraftPathetic. My TE1, 2nd rd grade. Maybe late day 3 now, but likely undrafted based on this.
With exceptional athleticism and evident pass-catching prowess, Higbee's game projects well to the pros—provided he can avoid any further off-field issues.
Coming from a smaller school where he faced lesser competition was already going to make Higbee's transition to the NFL more difficult than the average college star. Now he's put his draft stock in jeopardy of sinking to a severe degree.
