Florida State releases top recruit after felony charges

Florida State University has removed Chuck Kennon from its football program after he was arrested on felony charges following a high-speed police pursuit in Tampa. The program cited conduct detrimental to the team as the reason for his release. Kennon, who was ranked as the sixth-best cornerback in the nation and the 51st-best overall recruit in his class, had committed to the Seminoles over more than 30 other offers.

According to UPI, officers observed Kennon driving a Dodge Durango at 79 mph in a 50-mph zone early Sunday morning. When law enforcement attempted to stop the vehicle, the chase escalated to speeds exceeding 150 mph. The pursuit ended when the Durango suffered a flat tire, prompting Kennon to abandon the vehicle and flee on foot into an industrial plant.

During the search for Kennon, police discovered his phone and a woman wearing a bodysuit described as covered in dirt stains, blood, and grass. The woman, who reported lacerations on her arm, told officers that she had asked Kennon to exit the vehicle more than ten times but was detained. Kennon turned himself in on Monday night and is currently being held in Falkenburg Road Jail.

Records show that Kennon faces aggravated fleeing to elude, which is a second-degree felony; false imprisonment, a third-degree felony; and resisting an officer without violence, a misdemeanor. The Florida State football team enters its next game with a 3-3 record, scheduled to face undefeated No. 3 Miami on Saturday.