Malcolm Simmons, the Auburn University wide receiver arrested in July on a charge of domestic assault with strangulation or suffocation, has applied for youthful offender status, according to court records.

Lee County District Judge Samantha Copelan announced that the defense had filed the motion for youthful offender status Friday morning, minutes after Simmons’ preliminary hearing was scheduled to begin.

Copelan said that the decision would not be made that day and “the matter will be confidential,” meaning anyone who was not an attorney for either side had to leave the courtroom.

If youthful offender status is granted, details of the case will be entirely confidential, and there will be no jury trial.

Simmons, 20, was arrested on July 16 and was cleared to participate in team acti

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