Florida Freshman Placed Under House Arrest After Allegedly 'Choking' and 'Punching' Victim

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Alec Musa | Last updated Jun 5, 2025 2:24 AM ET

A Florida Gators defensive lineman is already in hot water with the law despite being a member of the 2025 recruiting class. On Wednesday, Alachua County Court Circuit Judge Susanne Wilson Bullard placed 17-year-old freshman run stuffer Stephon Shivers on house arrest stemming from his arrest on Sunday.

Last weekend, Shivers was arrested on a "third-degree felony charge of false imprisonment (dating violence)," per The Gainesville Sun. An early enrollee for the Gators and a Brentwood, Tennessee native, Shivers, and the alleged victim got into a heated verbal argument following the disclosure of sensitive information on the latter's cell phone.

According to reports obtained by The Gainesville Sun, the argument turned physical, with Shivers "pushing," "shaking," and "choking" the alleged victim. Shivers is a six-foot-four, 399-pound defensive lineman per 247Sports. The reports also mentioned punches thrown by Shivers.

The house arrest placed on Shivers limits him to school and football practice while he and his family and friends cannot reach out to the alleged victim. The incoming freshman is still facing a felony charge that can result in a five-year prison sentence and a $5,000 fine.

Shivers has denied any physical harm dealt to the alleged victim but admits to throwing the alleged victim's cell phone. He enters the 2025 season as a three-star recruit and a potential depth piece at nose tackle for Florida's 3-4 defense. Last season, Florida ran with a defensive nose tackle with a similar stature to Shivers, the 464-pound Desmond Watson, now with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: