Former WSU nose tackle Robert Barber, who reportedly had signed a contract with the Carolina Panthers following last week’s NFL draft, now awaits a court result that will likely determine the fate of his football career.

Barber was charged with felony assault in February after an incident last summer in which the former lineman punched a fellow WSU student at a party. The Carolina Panthers offered him an undrafted free agent contract, but the offer was rescinded after the Panther organization learned of Barber’s off-field issues.

“The Panthers did not want to move forward until (Barber’s legal case) was settled,” Barber’s agent, Anthony Bendara, said in a text message to The Seattle Times Monday morning.

Bendara also told the Times that he and his client plan to wait until all pending legal matters are resolved to pursue contracts with NFL teams.

Barber is set to stand trial on May 15 pending a motion to dismiss the case by his attorney, Stephen Graham. The motion to dismiss will be heard on Wednesday.

“The timing of the criminal charge coming in February couldn’t have been worse,” Graham told the Seattle Times. “I was concerned about this issue possibly arising, but we scheduled the trial as soon as we could. We believe in Mr. Barber’s innocence and believe he will be vindicated on May 15.”

Although The six-foot-three-inch, 305 pound nose tackle made his case to NFL teams in 10 games last season, racking up 19 tackles including three and one half tackles for a loss, the immediate future of Barber’s football career rests on the result of this court case.

Barber’s rescinded offer is just the latest dent in an already disappointing draft season for Cougar Football. Pac-12 receptions leader Gabe Marks and Cougar fan-favorite River Cracraft went undrafted and now Barber, who was one of only three former WSU players who had signed pro contracts, has fallen out of NFL teams’ favor as well.