University of Tennessee at Chattanooga defensive back Dee Virgin and receiver Ke'Von Hall have been dismissed from the football program, the university confirmed Tuesday.
Virgin, who would be a senior in the 2016 season, and Hall, a redshirt freshman, were booted for a violation of team rules.
Coach Russ Huesman confirmed the dismissals while he was participating in the Porky's Open fundraising golf tournament Tuesday, but he offered no further comment.
Virgin was arrested for theft of property over $500 on campus. According to the arrest report, a female student reported on April 27 that her MacBook Air Tablet was missing. Police reviewed surveillance video, which led them to question Virgin.
He initially denied taking the tablet but later confessed and returned it to police. He was released on $1,500 bond and his court date is set for May 16.
Virgin started 36 games in his UTC career and was a two-time All-Southern Conference selection, being named first team in 2014 and making the second team last year after 40 tackles (4.5 for loss), two passes defensed, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. He returned an interception for a touchdown in 2014 against Jacksonville State.
He also was a primary kickoff returner, with a 20.8-yard average in 2015, but the Mocs have a number of options to replace him in that role, as four players returned kicks last season. His loss will be primarily felt on defense.
Sophomore C.J. Fritz had a great spring and had nailed down the corner opposite Virgin, but the coaches had hopes of moving junior Trevor Wright to the position of sixth defensive back. Wright, who has 19 starts at corner in his two-year career, missed the spring after having surgery but is expected back by the season. Virgin's dismissal could force UTC to move him back to corner.
Or the team could depend on a freshman - either redshirt D.J. Williams or incoming Rashun Freeman from Ooltewah and/or Cortez Davis - to contribute this season, much as Fritz did last season or Wright in 2014. Both were SoCon all-freshmen selections in their respective first seasons.
Williams had a good spring, and the coaches were excited about his development. That could be sped up now.
Hall was a former three-star prospect from Memphis Melrose who redshirted last season. His loss won't be as impactful as Virgin's, as the Mocs have a lot of depth at wideout and Hall was third on the depth chart at the "Z" position.
Contact Gene Henley at ghenley@timesfreepress.com. Follow him at twitter.com/genehenleytfp.