Kentucky football player pleads not guilty to assault charges

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Kentucky Wildcats wide receiver Zy’Aire Hughes (13) warming up before the game. University of Kentucky’s football team lost to University of Tennessee, 24-7, at Neyland Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 10, 2018 in Knoxville, Tennessee. Photo by Michael Clubb | Staff

Kernel News Desk
December 3, 2018

UK football wide receiver Zy’aire Hughes pleaded not guilty to assault charges in Fayette County District Court on Monday, court records show.

Hughes was arrested at about 4 a.m. Sunday at a Woodland Avenue apartment, the Lexington Herald-Leader reported. According to an arrest citation, Hughes is accused of intentionally injuring his girlfriend. Police found the victim with bruises and fresh scratches. She did not need to be taken to the hospital.  

Hughes was released Monday and agreed to have no contact with the victim, court records show. His next court date is Dec. 12.

According to the team roster, Hughes is a psychology major and criminology minor from Paducah, Kentucky. He had 63 total receiving yards and a touchdown this season. 

“We’re aware of the situation,” UK head coach Mark Stoops said in a statement on Sunday. “We’re in the process of gathering information. Proper behavior is an expectation of our program and we will address this as the facts are determined.”