Antonio Ross, a walk-on wide receiver for the Alabama Crimson Tide, was taken into custody on Monday on charges of second-degree sodomy, according to public records. Ross was subsequently released from the Calhoun County Jail after posting a $50,000 bond. The specifics of the case remain undisclosed, but Calhoun County Sheriff Matthew Wade confirmed that Ross was arrested at a residence in Weaver, Alabama.
Under Alabama law, second-degree sodomy involves a defendant aged 16 or older engaging in oral or anal sex with a victim aged between 12 and 16. The Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office has confirmed that the investigation involves a minor female victim.
Ross, a native of Alexandria, Alabama, was a non-scholarship member of Alabama’s 2023 class. He had garnered interest and offers from several other Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) schools and had initially committed to Liberty University under former coach Hugh Freeze. However, Ross decided to reconsider his options after Freeze’s departure to Auburn, ultimately choosing to walk on at Alabama.
As of Tuesday, Alabama has not issued a statement regarding Ross. However, his profile has been removed from the Alabama athletics online roster. Ross, a 19-year-old receiver, was arrested in Weaver, Alabama, following an indictment by a Calhoun County grand jury.
Following his release on bond, Alabama severed ties with Ross. The university confirmed in a statement that Ross is no longer part of the program and has been removed from campus. The specifics of Ross’s alleged crime remain undisclosed.
The case was reported to the Anniston Police Department, which conducted the investigation. The minor victim was interviewed at the Calhoun County Children’s Advocacy Center. Ross, a 6-foot-2, 180-pound wide receiver, was a preferred walk-on from Alexandria High School in Alexandria, Alabama. Despite scoring most of his touchdowns as a running back during his senior year of high school, Ross was listed as a wide receiver in the Crimson Tide’s media guide for the 2023 season.