Rape, More Charges Filed Against Villanova Football Player

VILLANOVA, PA — A Villanova University football player has been charged with rape and more crimes after authorities alleged he sexually assaulted a fellow student, according to court documents.

D'hani Cobbs, 20, of Sickerville, New Jersey, is charged with rape, aggravated indecent assault, sexual assault, involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, and more crimes, records show.

Cobbs is a wide receiver for Villanova's football team, but his athlete profile has been removed from the school's website. According to ESPN, he is a freshman.

The Delaware County District Attorney's Office said Villanova University Public Safety on Dec. 8, 2025, got a report that a female resident was the victim of a rape that occurred on December 7, 2025

Authorities said the victim told police she met Cobbs at an off-campus event and later returned to his dorm room with other students.

After ending up alone with him, the victim said Cobbs attempted to kiss her, but she said no, the DA's office said. Cobbs then forcibly penetrated and assaulted the victim without consent, according to authorities.

After she was able to leave the dorm, Cobbs sent her messages apologizing and asking to talk more so they could come to a mutual understanding of what happened, the DA's office said

The Delaware County District Attorney’s Office later approved the above charges against Cobbs after reviewing evidence presented to investigators. He turned himself in after a warrant for his arrest was issued on Jan. 29.

"On Friday, Jan. 30, Villanova University Police arrested and charged Villanova student D’Hani Cobbs with the sexual assault of another University student stemming from a December 2025 incident," Villanova University said in a statement. "Once the University learned of the incident, campus police launched an investigation, notified the Delaware County District Attorney’s Office, and the alleged assailant was removed from campus. Sexual violence of any kind is not tolerated on our campus and we are committed to both supporting the victim and fostering a safe environment for all of our students. We are deeply troubled any time we receive reports of such misconduct, as our priority is, and always has been, to ensure we have a safe community for our students, faculty, and staff."

The District Attorney’s Office urges anyone with additional information to contact Lt. Michael Gownley of the Villanova University Department of Public Safety and Police at 610-519-5800.

"The message here is as simple as it is clear - when it comes to other people’s bodies, no means no, and stop means stop," Delaware County District Attorney Tanner Rouse said. "That’s what we tell our kids and it holds true throughout life, no matter who you are or how talented an athlete you might be. I want to commend the victim in this case for having the strength to come forward and commend the Villanova University Police Department for a thorough investigation. The University community should know that their department carried out this investigation as quickly and as diligently as possible."

He was released on $250,000 unsecured bail and ordered to have no contact with the victim, according to the DA's office. A preliminary hearing for Cobbs is scheduled for Feb. 12.