A Vanderbilt University football player is facing aggravated assault and identity theft charges after police say he held a man in a chokehold during a bloody downtown Nashville fight hours after the Commodores' blowout loss to Ole Miss. Officers say 20-year-old wide receiver Kayleb Barnett was detained without incident near the John Seigenthaler Pedestrian Bridge.
According to WKRN News 2, a Metro Nashville police officer stationed in front of Barstool on Second Avenue South noticed what looked like an altercation south of the pedestrian bridge early Sunday. The officer reportedly saw Barnett holding the victim in a chokehold and, as authorities arrived on scene, watched the man fall to the ground motionless and appearing unconscious, with a substantial amount of blood surrounding him, per the arrest report cited in that account. Police said the victim woke up shortly after they arrived and detained Barnett without further incident.
Conflicting Accounts of Who Threw the First Punch
The fight broke out in the aftermath of Vanderbilt's 52-17 loss to the University of Mississippi on Oct. 10, according to the station's report. A witness and designated driver told officials that Barnett threw the first punch, which led to the fight, while Barnett gave police a different version: that the victim swung first, that he dodged the punch, and that he held the victim down only to prevent further assault against himself. Despite the dueling accounts, authorities said they determined Barnett was the predominant aggressor, per the same report.
Officers also found two identification cards bearing Barnett's name and photo but listing different birthdays, the outlet reported. One ID identified him as under 21, while the other reportedly belonged to a different person entirely. Barnett also faced charges beyond the assault allegation.
Charges, Bond and Next Court Date
Law enforcement told the station that Barnett was charged with aggravated assault, identity theft and using a false ID. His bond was $5,000, and he is due in court on Nov. 13.
Vanderbilt officials had not released any comments about the incident as of publication, the station reported. Barnett is listed on the team roster as a 5-foot-8 sophomore from Tulsa, Oklahoma, who was rated a three-star high school prospect by multiple recruiting services. As a freshman, he appeared in 12 games, recording six catches for 53 yards and six rushing attempts for 29 yards.
A Rising Contributor Before the Arrest
Before Sunday's arrest, Barnett had been building a reputation as an unlikely contributor despite his size. He was the Oklahoma 6A state champion in the 100 meters and had been declared ineligible at one point by the Oklahoma High School Athletic Association over a perceived illegal recruitment before that ruling was overturned, according to SI.com. His college production has been modest but notable, including a kickoff return for 21 yards against Iowa and his first career touchdown in the season opener against Charleston Southern, per his Vanderbilt Commodores roster page.
