Former Florida defensive tackle Caleb Brantley, who is considered a potential first- or second-round pick in this week's NFL draft, was charged Friday with misdemeanor simple battery after he allegedly struck a woman and knocked her unconscious during a dispute earlier this month.
According to a sworn complaint obtained by ESPN from the Alachua County Clerk of the Court in Gainesville, Florida, a woman told police that the 6-foot-2, 307-pound Brantley made crude comments toward her during an argument at a bar on April 13, and she then pushed him. The complaint said Brantley responded by "striking [her] in the face, knocking her unconscious."
The complaint said the woman, who is 5-foot-6 and 120 pounds, suffered dental injuries that "displaced a tooth and will require a root canal." The complaint also said Brantley's "use of force was clearly out of retaliation and not self-defense. Additionally, the intensity of [his] force far exceeded what was reasonable or necessary."
A woman, who told police she was standing next to the victim during the dispute, said in the complaint that Brantley knocked the woman unconscious. Another woman who was there said she saw Brantley "strike the [woman] in the face with a closed fist, knocking [her] unconscious." The complaint said the second female witness identified Brantley from a photo lineup as the man who threw the punch.
Brantley's attorney, Huntley Johnson, said on Tuesday evening they were offered a settlement by the woman's counsel but have declined and that the woman plans to meet with the Alachua County State Attorney on Wednesday.
"I was approached by lawyers representing the alleged victim, both yesterday and today," said Johnson, according to the Orlando Sentinel. "They indicated to me they were meeting with the State Attorney's Office tomorrow and that they want to settle the case today. I called Mr. Brantley and communicated what they said to me. He told me that under no circumstances were we to offer them money or give them any money. He said no."
Johnson hasn't returned multiple messages from ESPN.
Brantley didn't immediately return a voicemail left on his cellphone on Sunday. The woman referred questions to her attorney when reached Sunday night. One of the female witnesses declined to comment.
The Independent Florida Alligator student newspaper first reported that Brantley was charged with a misdemeanor.
Brantley, 22, from Crescent City, Florida, is ranked as the No. 4 defensive tackle and the No. 55 NFL draft prospect overall by ESPN's Scouts Inc. The draft begins Thursday night in Philadelphia.
Brantley started 21 games for the Gators during his career. He had 20 tackles for loss and 5½ sacks over the past two seasons combined.