Former Boise State football player arrested. This isn’t his first charge
A former Boise State football wide receiver was kicked off the team after he was arrested earlier this year. Now, he’s facing another criminal charge.
Austin Bolt was arrested on suspicion of misdemeanor battery after he allegedly grabbed a woman by the neck, according to a criminal complaint obtained by the Idaho Statesman. The charge stems from “an altercation” between Bolt and the woman on May 30 in the area of South Cole and West Overland roads, according to the Boise Police Department.
Police investigated the incident and forwarded their report to the city’s prosecutor’s office for review, spokesperson Haley Williams said. He was booked into the Ada County Jail on Friday after a warrant was issued for his arrest, records showed. He posted his $300 bond the same day. He could face up to six months in jail and a $1,000 fine.
Friday’s arrest wasn’t Bolt’s first run-in with law enforcement. In April, he was charged with disturbing the peace, court records showed.
Under state law, anyone who “maliciously and willfully disturbs the peace or quiet of any neighborhood, family or person” with loud noise, tumultuous or offensive conduct, or uses any vulgar or indecent language within the presence or hearing of children, could face up to six months in jail and a $1,000 fine for the misdemeanor.
The now-23-year-old graduated from Borah High School in 2020 and arrived at Boise State with high expectations — not only was he the 2020 Idaho Gatorade football player of the year, but he was also named to the All-Idaho basketball team in high school and won state track and field championships in two running events.
Bolt committed to Boise State and appeared in 12 games as a redshirt freshman in 2021, primarily on special teams. He made the switch to wide receiver from tight end ahead of the 2022 season, but suffered a broken tibia and fibula in his left leg while covering a kickoff in the season opener, which kept him sidelined for the rest of the season.
He made his first catch as a Bronco in 2023 and saw action in all 14 games in 2024 as Boise State qualified for the College Football Playoff. He ended the 2024 season with 16 receptions for 196 yards and four touchdowns. He left the program in May with one year of eligibility remaining.
Boise State Athletics spokesperson Chris Kutz declined to comment on the reason at the time, but in an email Monday confirmed that Bolt was removed from the program for “violations of team rules.”
Bolt also addressed his removal from the team during a court hearing last month. When asked by 4th Judicial District Magistrate Judge Regan Jameson whether he was employed, Bolt responded that he used to play on the Boise State football team, but lost his NIL money over the disturbing the peace charge.
“I got kicked off the team from it,” he said.
Reporter Sally Krutzig contributed to this story.