University of Washington tight end Austin Seferian-Jenkins, widely regarded as a potential future high-round NFL draft pick, was cited on a DUI charge on Saturday night, multiple media outlets reported. (A hat tip to College Football Talk, which has chronicled this developing story.)
According to the Seattle Times, Seattle police said the incident occurred around 11:30 p.m. in the city’s University District, and Seferian-Jenkins was one of multiple passengers in the car police stopped. Full details on the incident are not yet known, per the Times.
“We are aware of an incident that occurred Saturday evening involving Austin Seferian-Jenkins,” Washington head coach Steve Sarkisian said Sunday in a statement released by the school. “We are taking the matter very seriously. Austin made decisions that fall short of our expectations for student-athletes who represent the University of Washington. He will be disciplined internally in accordance with team and departmental policies. We will continue to support Austin throughout this process, while also holding him accountable and responsible for his actions.”
As a true sophomore in 2011, Seferian-Jenkins was a finalist for the John Mackey Award, given to college football’s top tight end. He already holds a slew of school records for tight ends, including catches, yards and touchdowns (110-1,388-13).
The 6-foot-6, 266-pound Seferian-Jenkins would appear to have a bright football future. In a story published in the Seattle Times last December, ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. said Seferian-Jenkins could be an “early first-round pick” in 2014.
And, for those who may be wondering, that’s the earliest he can be draft-eligible. Because he has not completed three seasons in school, the 2013 supplemental draft is not an option for Seferian-Jenkins.