Auburn WR Malcolm Simmons Cleared for Team Activities Amid Domestic Violence Charges as Fall Camp Opens, Hearing Set for August 13

As fall camp officially gets underway on the Plains, Auburn head coach Hugh Freeze addressed what has been one of the most closely watched storylines of the offseason—the legal status of sophomore wide receiver Malcolm Simmons. Speaking to reporters during the Tigers’ media availability on Sunday, Freeze confirmed that Simmons has been “cleared to participate in team activities” despite his recent arrest earlier this month on domestic violence charges. While Simmons’ preliminary hearing is scheduled for August 13, his return to practice raises questions about Auburn’s approach to player discipline, due process, and the larger balancing act between athletic opportunity and legal accountability.

Simmons, a 6-foot-1, 195-pound receiver from Alexander City, Alabama, was arrested on charges stemming from an alleged incident involving a girlfriend. According to police records, Simmons was booked on a misdemeanor domestic violence charge and later released on bond. Neither Freeze nor Auburn Athletics provided further detail about the incident or Simmons’ bond conditions, citing legal restrictions and privacy concerns. However, the head coach made clear that the decision to allow Simmons to return was made after consultation with university officials, the athletic department, and legal counsel.

“We’ve been in constant communication with the proper university channels and are making decisions with all the information we have at this time,” Freeze said. “Malcolm is cleared to participate in team activities. That doesn’t mean this matter is over, and we’re going to continue to monitor everything as the legal process plays out. We take these things seriously.”

Freeze, now entering his second season at the helm of the Tigers, is no stranger to navigating off-field controversies, both personally and in terms of managing his roster. He emphasized that the coaching staff is attempting to strike a careful balance between maintaining the integrity of the program and ensuring that players are treated fairly during ongoing legal matters. While Simmons is not currently suspended, his long-term status with the team remains undetermined pending the outcome of the hearing and any further developments.

“There’s a lot we can’t talk about, but I can promise you we’re not sweeping anything under the rug,” Freeze said. “We have a responsibility—to the young man, to the university, and to the woman involved—to let this process run its course, and we’ll act accordingly as more comes to light.”

The incident has sparked a range of reactions across the Auburn community and the broader college football landscape. Some have voiced support for Simmons’ opportunity to continue practicing while his case remains unresolved, citing the foundational principle of “innocent until proven guilty.” Others, however, are questioning whether allowing him to resume team activities sends the wrong message, especially in light of the NCAA and universities across the country increasingly scrutinizing how they handle allegations of domestic violence involving student-athletes.

For Simmons, the arrest comes at a critical juncture in his young career. After seeing limited action during his freshman season, he had been expected to play a larger role in Auburn’s evolving offense this year. Coaches had praised his speed, hands, and work ethic during spring practices. Now, all of that progress appears overshadowed by the legal cloud looming over his future.

“This isn’t what you want for any of your players, or for your team,” Freeze said. “But we also have to be careful not to make assumptions. There’s a process for a reason. I’ve talked to Malcolm. He understands the seriousness of the situation and knows that everything he does from here on will be under a microscope.”

According to court documents, Simmons is scheduled to appear before a Lee County judge for a preliminary hearing on August 13—just weeks before the Tigers open their season. That hearing will determine whether there is enough evidence for the case to proceed to trial. Legal experts note that in misdemeanor cases like this, such hearings often result in decisions being made quickly regarding whether charges will be dropped, reduced, or formally pursued.

University officials have remained mostly silent on the matter, with an Auburn spokesperson stating only that the school “is aware of the situation and is cooperating fully with all legal proceedings.” No university-wide disciplinary actions have been announced.

Behind closed doors, though, sources within the athletic department have indicated that the decision to allow Simmons to participate in fall camp was not taken lightly. Multiple internal meetings reportedly took place involving compliance officers, legal advisors, and school administrators before Freeze was given the green light to make the announcement.

From a football standpoint, Simmons’ return provides a potential boost to a receiving corps that remains one of Auburn’s biggest question marks heading into the 2025 season. After finishing near the bottom of the SEC in most passing metrics last year, the Tigers have made wide receiver development a priority. Simmons had been projected to compete for a starting role, and while his legal status introduces uncertainty, his presence on the field could still factor heavily into offensive coordinator Derrick Nix’s plans.

But the challenge for Freeze and the coaching staff will be managing the off-field distractions that this case is sure to bring. Media scrutiny, public pressure, and locker-room dynamics could all be affected by how the situation unfolds. With players returning from summer break and settling into fall camp routines, Simmons’ presence will undoubtedly be noticed—not just for what he brings athletically, but for what his situation represents in terms of Auburn’s handling of legal and ethical matters.

“We’re talking to the team,” Freeze said. “We’ve addressed the issue internally, and we’re making sure everyone understands that actions have consequences. At the same time, we owe it to each player to treat them fairly and within the guidelines of the university and the law. We’re trying to keep our focus on football while not ignoring what’s happening outside the lines.”

For some Auburn fans, Freeze’s approach is reassuring. They see it as a measured response—neither prematurely punitive nor dismissively lenient. Others feel the program should have instituted an automatic suspension until after the preliminary hearing at the very least. Nationally, the case is already drawing attention, with commentators debating how schools should handle such incidents when no conviction has yet occurred.

There’s also the question of precedent. How Auburn handles the Simmons situation could set the tone for future cases under Freeze’s leadership. The coach’s public statements thus far have emphasized process and due diligence, but the optics of a player facing domestic violence charges returning to practice so soon after his arrest are hard to ignore.

Even if Simmons is ultimately cleared or the charges are dropped, the court of public opinion may continue to weigh heavily. For now, the coaching staff, administration, and athletic department must walk a tightrope, balancing legal fairness, moral responsibility, and competitive ambition.

As for Simmons, his next steps will be closely watched. Whether he emerges from this legal entanglement with his football future intact may depend as much on how he handles himself off the field as what he does on it. His return to fall camp may be the beginning of a second chance—or the start of an even deeper controversy.

With August 13 fast approaching, all eyes will remain on Auburn, where a young receiver’s fate—and a university’s response to crisis—hang in the balance.