Oklahoma LB Frank Shannon Reportedly Accused of Sexual Assault

According to a Title IX sexual misconduct allegation report obtained by Jason Kersey of The Oklahoman, inside linebacker Frank Shannon, who led Oklahoma with 92 tackles last season, has been accused of sexually assaulting a female student in his off-campus apartment on Jan. 20, 2014.

Update: Thursday, April 17 – 4:23 p.m. ET

Cleveland County District Attorney Greg Mashburn said on Thursday that prosectors have declined to file sexual assault charges against Shannon, and that that decision not to do so was made weeks ago, per Jason Kersey and Nolan Clay of The Oklahoman.

Kersey and Clay explain:

"

The district attorney said Shannon was not charged based on the woman's wishes at the time and based on the facts that were presented.

He explained the woman said she did not want Shannon prosecuted. He also said it was unclear from the accounts of both the woman and the player "what had actually taken place."

"

Oklahoma University will now run its own internal investigation on the incident before deciding Shannon's future.

--END OF UPDATE--

Kersey provided details from the report:

"

According to the report, the woman alleges that after a party, she intended to walk home. Shannon offered her a ride, but said he first needed to drop off friends near his apartment.

Shannon allegedly took the woman into his bedroom. According to the complaint, he came up behind her, pulled down her pants and attempted to have sex with her.

The complainant said Shannon became frustrated when she wouldn’t cooperate.

Shannon allegedly asked if she was menstruating, and when she said yes, he went to the bathroom. At that time, she left and met a friend in the parking lot, whom the woman had texted to come get her. The friend called the police.

"

Shannon was a conspicuous absence from the Sooners' practice last Thursday and spring game on Saturday.

At the time, defensive coordinator Mike Stoops said he was "not at liberty to discuss" Shannon's absence, adding that the "linebacker position is something that we need to gain some depth there. ... That's a little bit scary for us," per Eric Bailey of the Tulsa World.

According to Kersey, the Norman Police are investigating the allegations but did not have a comment when reached Wednesday. As of Wednesday evening, there was also no record of charges being filed against Shannon with the Cleveland County District Court.

Still, these allegations are serious for obvious reasons, and Shannon is at risk of no longer being part of the program—and that would be the least of his problems. For all intents and purposes, OU might have to operate under the premise of his dismissal or suspension.

Sophomore linebacker Jordan Evans enjoyed a fine performance in the spring game, earning the praise of head coach Bob Stoops, who said he's been "making that improvement all spring" and called him "a really good player," according to the team's official Twitter account.

Evans may now be counted on to start. 

Follow Brian Leigh on Twitter: @BLeighDAT