A woman this week told police that Auburn wide receiver Malcolm Simmons strangled her with both of his hands during an argument, according to court records obtained by AL.com.

In a deposition, Opelika police identified the woman as Simmons’ girlfriend and said they saw bruises on her neck when they responded to a domestic violence call on Wednesday afternoon. Simmons, 20, was charged with a felony count of domestic assault with strangulation or suffocation.

Police said Simmons denied strangling his girlfriend.

In a statement responding to Simmons’ arrest, an Auburn spokesperson told AL.com, “We are aware of the situation, are gathering the facts, and will address the situation.”

Simmons was one of many breakout freshmen for Auburn in 2024, catching 40 passes for 451 yards and three touchdowns. A four-star recruit out of Benjamin Russell High School in Alexander City, Simmons was part of the “Freeze four” group of blue-chip receivers in the Tigers’ 2024 signing class.

He’s the second Auburn player to be arrested in the last two weeks, following DJ Barber, who was arrested on charges of trafficking in marijuana, unlawful possession of a controlled substance and unlawful possession of drug paraphernalia.

Peter Rauterkus covers Auburn sports for AL.com. You can follow him on X at @peter_rauterkusor email him at[email protected]m