Arrested last month on multiple counts of aggravated burglary and felony theft, University of Tennessee at Chattanooga defensive backs Clim Robbins and Deron “T.J.” Thompson have been dismissed from the team, coach Russ Huesman said Tuesday.
The two freshmen had been suspended since late February after the alleged thefts from on-campus residential complexes were brought to the attention of Huesman and UTC police. Both players face nine counts of aggravated burglary, five counts of felony theft of more than $1,000 and four of more than $500.
“They’ve been dismissed and won’t be on the football team next year,” Huesman said. “Whether they come back to school or not, they’re not on the football team.”
The players, both from Florida, completed spring semester and already have gone through a UTC student conduct hearing. They will be back in Hamilton County General Sessions Court on May 23.
Robbins and Thompson redshirted in 2011 and were expected to be backups to starting cornerbacks Kadeem Wise and Chaz Moore next season. Redshirt freshman Sema’je Kendall, moved to cornerback from safety in the spring, will likely get more playing time, and true freshmen Will Johnson and Dee Virgin could have a chance to play right away.