Adam Searl suspended by UCLA following arrest on suspicion of rape

A UCLA football player was suspended indefinitely Friday after he was arrested on suspicion of rape.

Adam Searl, a walk-on punter, was arrested Thursday after a nearly year-long investigation, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.

"We have been informed of the situation involving Adam Searl, and we take these accusations very seriously," UCLA coach Jim Mora said in a statement Friday. "Adam has been suspended from the team indefinitely while the legal process runs its course. Due to the ongoing police investigation, we are unable to discuss this matter further at this time."

Police said the accuser, a student at UCLA, reported she was sexually assaulted on Oct. 19, 2014. She told investigators she met the suspect outside an off-campus house party in Westwood, and he accompanied her to a nearby residence, where, after falling asleep, she woke up to "discover the suspect sexually assaulting her."

Searl was booked on three counts of rape. He posted $300,000 bond and released, according to court records. He is scheduled to appear in Los Angeles Superior Court on Oct. 29.

Searl, who is from Irvine, California, joined the program in 2013, but did not see game action until last season, when he punted 11 times for a 39.1-yard average. He began this season as a backup, but punted five times in the Bruins' most recent game against Arizona State.

He is the second UCLA football player to be arrested this season. Junior cornerback Ishmael Adams was arrested in August for robbery and missed the first three games before the Los Angeles County District Attorney chose not to pursue felony charges against him.