Top Texas Prospect Arrested on DWI Charge Right Before Draft
The Texas Longhorns boast several of the nation's top prospects ahead of the NFL draft, including defense tackle T'Vondre Sweat. Following a standout 2023 season, Sweat was primed to be an early pick in April's event.
However, that is now no longer guarantee following the latest news.
Sweat was arrested early Sunday morning and charged with driving while intoxicated, according to Austin NBC affiliate KXAN. He was officially booked into Travis County Jail at 2:12 p.m. Sunday afternoon and had his bond set at $3,000, per jail records.
A DWI is a Class B misdemeanor, which can carry a punishment of "up to 180 days in jail, a fine of as much as $2,000, or both" in the state of Texas.
Not much else is known at this time as the situation develops.
Sweat earned Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year honors this past season after recording career highs in tackles for loss (8.0) and sacks (2.0) as a disruptor for a Longhorns team that lost only one regular-season game and made it to the College Football Playoffs.
Sweat's performance on one of the nation's most dominant teams sent his pre-draft stock skyrocketing. He participated in March's Scouting Combine, which allowed him to show off in front of key decision-makers from around the NFL.
He's also been on several top-30 visits with teams, including the Cincinnati Bengals and Cleveland Browns.
His arrest could change things in a hurry. The league has shown a trepidation to spend top draft capital on youngsters with questionable decision making, especially this close to the event itself. There's legit blowback an organization would face if they give a golden life opportunity to someone who just allegedly broke the law.
It remains to be seen what is ultimately decided in regards to Sweat's DWI charge, but it's very possible this development has altered several teams' thoughts on the Texas alum.