Before being recruited by Oklahoma, wide receiver and Heisman Trophy finalist Dede Westbrook was twice arrested on complaints of domestic violence, according to the Tulsa World.
The Sooners began recruiting Westbrook in the fall of 2014, but two years prior, an 18-year-old Westbrook was accused of throwing the mother of two of his children to the ground. In 2013, he was accused of biting the same woman’s arm and punching her in the face with a closed fist, the report said, citing police reports and court documents.
MORE: Least-deserving Heisman Trophy winners
Westbrook was never charged in the two incidents and says the issues with the woman are settled.
"There were some disagreements in the past that were cleared up years ago. We have resolved our issues and are focused on the future," Westbrook said in a statement through the university. He posted a tweet shortly after the Tulsa World report was published.
Don't believe everything!! Don't be so gullible
— Dede Westbrook (@DedeTHEGreat11) December 12, 2016
Oklahoma's recruitment of Westbrook with two prior arrest records against women is puzzling considering the fall of 2014 was the semester immediately following Joe Mixon’s arrest for punching a woman in the face. In the spring of 2014, Sooners linebacker Frank Shannon and transfer receiver Dorial Green-Beckham were also accused of violence against women.
In response to the allegations against Westbrook, Oklahoma released a statement to the Tulsa World:
"The university conducts independent background checks on every entering student-athlete. While the university has declined to extend offers in other circumstances as a result of gathered information, nothing was reported in this case."
Westbrook, the Biletnikoff Award winner, will look to enter the spotlight for more positive reasons when the Sooners play Auburn in the Allstate Sugar Bowl on Jan. 2.