Report: Gareon Conley accused of rape, remains under investigation

With just over 48 hours until the start of the 2017 NFL Draft, a prominent athlete has been accused of a heinous crime.

According to a police report obtained by TMZ, a woman has accused Gareon Conley of raping her earlier this April at a hotel in Cleveland. Per TMZ, the police report notes that the woman called 911 after the alleged incident and went to the hospital to have a rape kit administered, but that she did not speak to police at the hospital or following the incident. The police continue to investigate but have not yet pressed any charges.

In the meantime, Conley maintains his innocence and his attorneys called the allegations “ludicrous and ridiculous.”

With the investigation ongoing, UltraViolet — a women’s advocacy group — has called upon the NFL to “immediately suspend Gareon Conley from the upcoming NFL Draft pending a full investigation.”

This investigation is expected to continue over the next few days into the NFL Draft. If it does not conclude or if charges are brought against Conley, he could potentially go undrafted, as offensive lineman La’el Collins did in 2015 when he was connected with a double homicide. Collins was eventually cleared of any wrongdoing, however, and signed with the Dallas Cowboys as an undrafted free agent.

Prior to this report, Conley, a cornerback from Ohio State, was projected as a first-round pick by most NFL Draft analysts. He was also scheduled to be in attendance at the draft in person.