Vanderbilt wide receiver Chris Boyd has pleaded guilty for his role in a rape case to avoid a felony conviction.
According to The Tennessean, Boyd struck a deal with prosecutors Friday morning and pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge involving "criminal intent."
The 21-year-old from Roswell, Ga., was previously charged with being an accessory after the fact, which is a Class E felony and carries a prison term of up to two years. The lesser charge puts Boyd on probation for 11 months and 29 days. If completed, it will be expunged from his record.
Four other players Brandon Vandenburg, Cory Batey, Brandon Eric Banks and Jaborian McKenzie have been charged with five counts of aggravated rape and two counts of aggravated sexual battery against a 21-year-old woman.
As part of his deal, Boyd will testify against his former teammates.
Three of the players who were involved on the Commodores have been dismissed from the team. McKenzie, who transferred to Alcorn State, played in last week’s game, but was dismissed by the Braves on Thursday, Yahoo! Sports reports.
Boyd is still suspended and his reinstatement with Vandy is uncertain.