Villanova University Police have arrested and charged freshman football player D’Hani Cobbs with rape and sexual assault following an investigation into an incident reported on the university’s campus. The arrest, which occurred on January 30, is connected to allegations involving another student that reportedly took place on December 6. According to court documents filed in Delaware County, the specific charges against Cobbs include rape by forcible compulsion, involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, aggravated indecent assault, and indecent assault.
In response to the arrest, Villanova University officials immediately issued an interim suspension, removing Cobbs from campus and barring him from all football team activities. A university spokesperson confirmed that the institution is fully cooperating with the Delaware County District Attorney’s Office and emphasized that the safety and well-being of the campus community remain a top priority. Cobbs, a native of Camden, New Jersey, had joined the Wildcats as a wide receiver prior to these developments. The university is also conducting a separate internal review under its Title IX policies, which handle student conduct violations independently of the criminal justice system.
While the charges filed are serious felonies, they represent accusations rather than a final judgment, and the accused maintains the constitutional right to a presumption of innocence until proven guilty in a court of law. Legal outcomes in cases involving student-athletes at the university have varied historically; for instance, in 2024, a jury acquitted a different former Villanova football player of sexual assault charges after defense attorneys successfully challenged the evidence and credibility of the allegations during trial. As the legal process moves forward, Cobbs’ defense team will have the opportunity to contest the state’s account of the December 6 incident and present evidence regarding consent and the circumstances of the encounter.
villanovan.com
villanovan.com
