By Nick Alvarez
Alabama offensive tackle Elijah Pritchett was arrested Wednesday night by the Tuscaloosa Police Department.
Pritchett, 19, was charged with knowingly passing on a sexually transmitted disease, Stephanie Taylor, a spokesperson for TPD confirmed to AL.com.
The redshirt freshman was released on a $500 bond. A report was filed on Dec. 13 against Pritchett, which led to a warrant under AL Code § 22-11A-21:
“Any person afflicted with a sexually transmitted disease who shall knowingly transmit, or assume the risk of transmitting, or do any act which will probably or likely transmit such disease to another person.”
It is a Class C misdemeanor charge in Alabama, meaning Pritchett faces three months in jail or fines of up to $500 if convicted.
A spokesperson from the University of Alabama did not immediately respond to comment when requested by AL.com on Wednesday night. Stephen Dethrage and Wyatt Fulton of the Tuscaloosa Thread were the first to report the news.
Pritchett was a five-star prospect out of Midland, Ga., in the class of 2022. After appearing in two games last year, he entered the year competing for the Crimson Tide’s starting left tackle position along with freshman Kadyn Proctor. Pritchett has appeared in each of No. 4 Alabama’s 13 contests, working at a 75-25 percent split through the bulk of conference play.
Pritchett didn’t record an offensive snap in Alabama’s Southeastern Conference Championship win over Georgia on Dec. 2. Thirteen days later, Pritchett announced his plans to enter the transfer portal.
But by the following afternoon on Dec. 16, Pritchett had changed his mind and released a public apology for any “inconveniences” caused by his choice to transfer.
Crimson Tide players were off for nearly two weeks before returning to practice on Dec. 16. Alabama will travel to Pasadena, Calif., on Dec. 26 before the College Football Playoff semifinal at the Rose Bowl. Alabama will play No. 1 Michigan on Jan. 1, 2024.
