By Jim Hagerty
Reporter

NASHVILLE –  Former Boylan High School quarterback Demry Croft has been removed from the Tennessee State University football team after being charged with rape. 

The story broke locally Tuesday, Aug. 20, after the Tennessean reported Croft was charged with six counts of rape and two counts of sexual battery. The Rock River Times confirmed the reports and was informed that the alleged offense occurred last December and reported April 4. 

According to documents, the report was taken in April by TSU police officer Thomas Phelps, who led the investigation and turned over his findings to Davidson County District Attorney Glenn Funk’s office. The case was then went to a grand jury, which can take several months to issue an indictment.  

Croft was arrested Aug. 19. He was booked at 2:04 p.m., and released at 6:18 p.m., after posting 10% of a $50,000 bond. He was still on the TSU football roster when his arrest was reported but was officially suspended Wednesday, Aug. 21. He did not participate in the team’s Aug. 17 scrimmage. 

“We have very high standards here at Tennessee State University, especially when it comes to women, and right now Demry’s been accused of not holding up to those high standards,” TSU head coach Rod Reed said in a statement. “At this point he’s been suspended indefinitely from the football team and all athletic activities as it relates to football and facilities.” 

Croft is due in court Sept. 4. 

A 2015 graduate of Boylan High School, Croft threw for 2,011 yards and 21 touchdowns as a senior. He went on to play quarterback at the University of Minnesota, where he appeared in 12 games in three seasons before transferring to Tennessee State.

Croft was TSU’s starting quarterback for the first four games in 2018 before a back injury ended his junior campaign. He was expected to vie for the starting role this season.

Tennessee State opens its 2019 season Aug. 30 at home against Mississippi State. 

This story has been updated.