Thaxton dismissed from UT program after arrest
KNOXVILLE — A week after Ryan Thaxton was arrested on two charges, the Tennessee defensive end has been dismissed from the team.
A Tennessee spokesman confirmed the dismissal Monday morning prior to Thaxton’s appearance in Knox County General Sessions Court. Thaxton’s hearing is set for Aug. 15, according to his lawyer, Heath Lowe.
Thaxton was suspended July 16 after he was arrested July 15 and charged with domestic assault and false imprisonment. The Alexandria, Va., native did not play last season as a freshman.
On Wednesday at SEC Media Days in Atlanta, Vols coach Jeremy Pruitt discussed his program’s policy when a player is accused of violence toward women.
“We all are very aware of what went on, and obviously we suspended the guy. We’re not going to condone it. We’re not going to tolerate it,” Pruitt said. “Once we gather all the information, we’ll have a little more answers then.”
According to online court records, Thaxton is accused of pushing his girlfriend toward his room when she refused to accompany him to his dorm. Thaxton then carried her inside the dorm room, where an argument took place, and he blocked the door when she attempted to leave, according to records. The incident is alleged to have occurred about 8:23 p.m. July 15 at 1311 Lake Loudoun Blvd., which is the address for Stokely Hall. Thaxton was arrested by the University of Tennessee Police Department and was booked by the Knox County Sheriff’s Office, according to a Knox County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson.
The incident marked the first known arrest of a football player since Pruitt was hired in December.