Matt Araiza: From College Star to NFL Controversy

 

Matt Araiza: From College Star to NFL Controversy

Matt Araiza is an American football punter who was drafted by the Buffalo Bills in the sixth round of the 2022 NFL Draft. He played college football for the San Diego State Aztecs, where he set the NCAA single-season record for punting average. However, Araiza's career has been overshadowed by allegations of sexual assault.

College Career:

Araiza was a standout punter at San Diego State. He was named the Mountain West Conference Special Teams Player of the Year in 2021 and was a consensus All-American. He set the NCAA single-season record for punting average with a mark of 51.1 yards per punt.

NFL Draft:

Araiza was drafted by the Buffalo Bills in the sixth round of the 2022 NFL Draft. He was expected to compete for the starting punting job with incumbent Matt Haack.

Sexual Assault Allegations:

In August 2022, Araiza was accused of sexual assault by a woman who alleged that he and several other San Diego State football players had raped her at an off-campus party in October 2021. Araiza has denied the allegations.

NFL Release:

The Buffalo Bills released Araiza on August 27, 2022, following the allegations of sexual assault. The team said that it was "in the best interests of the organization" to release Araiza.

Legal Status:

Araiza has not been charged with any crime in connection with the allegations of sexual assault. The San Diego County District Attorney's Office is currently investigating the allegations.

Impact on Career:

The allegations of sexual assault have had a significant impact on Araiza's career. He was released by the Buffalo Bills and has not been signed by another NFL team. It is unclear if he will ever play in the NFL again.