Oregon State University football player Exodus Ayers was arrested Nov. 3 in Corvallis on 18 charges, four of which being felonies, in connection with a domestic abuse situation.
Ayers was charged with seven counts of unlawful dissemination of an intimate image, four counts of harassment and three counts of fourth-degree assault, as well as counts of coercion, strangulation and third-degree criminal mischief.
These charges are all in connection to allegations of abuse from OSU student Daniella Rodriguez, Ayers’ ex-girlfriend.
Ayers pleaded not guilty to all charges at his arraignment the afternoon of his arrest. His bail was posted and he was released from custody that evening. Ayers’ bail was set at $10,000, meaning that $1,000 was paid for his release.
The arrest happened due to law enforcement signing an affidavit, or written affirmation, of probable cause that listed specific allegations against Ayers.
The two coercion charges, the strangulation charge and the fourth-degree assault charge are all Class C felonies. The other 14 charges are misdemeanors.
In Oregon, individuals found guilty of Class C felonies may be punished with up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $125,000. Misdemeanors are punishable with up to 364 days in jail and a fine of up to $6,250.
Ayers was ordered by the court to not to have any contact with Rodriguez or access her social media accounts.
Rodriguez posted a viral TikTok on July 28 which showed footage from a doorbell camera in which a man shoved her. Rodriguez identified the man as Ayers to The Barometer, and said that he had abused her physically and emotionally starting in September 2024. The video gained millions of views within days.
Two separate police reports were filed in February regarding incidents between Ayers and Rodriguez, but no charges were filed at the time.
Ayers has not played in any football games this year and was absent from the sidelines for several games.
“We know exactly what’s going on there, and it’s an unfortunate situation,” Interim Head Coach Rob Akey said at a press conference the day of the arrest. “I know that the university has issued a statement, and it’s not something that I’ve been able to talk about, so I’m going to leave it at that.”
Former Head Coach Trent Bray never publicly commented on Ayers’ availability.
“The university is aware of the pending charges involving Exodus Ayers, is gathering information and is addressing this with the seriousness and care that it warrants,” Vice President of University Relations and Marketing Rob Odom said in a statement on behalf of the university the day of the arrest.
Odom did not respond to request for comment on if any restrictions were placed on Ayers’ ability to play by the university.
“It’s been a very difficult situation to deal with myself. My thoughts and prayers are always going to be with him,” Rodriguez told The Barometer in an email on Nov. 4. “I know I was very mad and upset in the past about everything he did to me, but I’ve realized living in the past won’t get me in any better mental state.”
There will be a status check hearing on Dec. 15 at the Benton County Courthouse.
