Isaiah Bond's crucial development unfolds
Isaiah Bond Cleared of Sexual Assault Charges, Signs with Cleveland Browns
Isaiah Bond, a former Texas wide receiver, has had a rollercoaster journey in recent years, but he took a significant step forward in his career this week. After being cleared of all criminal charges tied to a sexual assault allegation, Bond announced his intention to sign with the Cleveland Browns.
Bond's collegiate career was marked by a strong resume and elite speed. In his sophomore season at Alabama in 2023, he recorded 668 receiving yards and four touchdowns. Across three college seasons, he appeared in 41 games, recording 99 receptions for 1,428 yards and 10 receiving touchdowns.
However, the timing of his arrest, just weeks before the 2025 NFL Draft, had a significant impact on his football future. The allegation involved an encounter on February 4, which the accuser claimed began consensually but later turned non-consensual. Bond has consistently denied the accusation, calling it "patently false" and maintaining his innocence throughout the process.
Less than a week after his release, Bond and his legal team filed a federal defamation lawsuit against the woman, asserting the encounter was consensual. The lawsuit was dismissed with prejudice last month by the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas. A Collin County (Texas) grand jury returned a "no bill" in Bond's case, meaning they won't be moving forward with an indictment.
Despite the draft-day setback caused by his off-field issues, the Cleveland Browns showed strong interest in Bond. They signed him as an undrafted free agent to an unprecedented fully guaranteed three-year contract worth $3.018 million. This contract represented about ten times more guaranteed money than any other undrafted free agent in the 2025 class.
The Browns explained they had done thorough due diligence, including hearing both sides of the case and administering a polygraph test, and also considered his professional conduct and character based on prior interactions and his time at Alabama.
Bond improved his 40-yard dash time to 4.34 seconds at Texas' Pro Day. In 2024, he played for Texas and caught 34 passes for 540 yards and five touchdowns, helping the Longhorns reach the national semifinal. In a statement, Bond expressed gratitude for the decision of the prosecutor and the courts not to pursue charges.
Once viewed as a likely Day 2 selection, Bond went undrafted as NFL teams weighed the pending investigation. The accuser also alleged Bond asked her to sign a non-disclosure agreement and later offered her money in a text message apology.
Despite these challenges, Bond's talent and potential have not gone unnoticed. The Cleveland Browns believe in his abilities and character, and they are eager to see what he can bring to their team.
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