Florida State dismisses player after 150 mph car chase

The Florida State Seminoles announced Tuesday that they dismissed freshman cornerback Chauncey "Chuck" Kennon after his recent arrest in Hillsborough County, Florida.

Why was Chuck Kennon arrested? 

Citing arrest records, WFLA-TV in Tampa Bay reported that on Sunday at 2 am. ET, Kennon got into a high-speed chase with Florida Highway Patrol officers near State Road 60 and South Maydell Drive. United Press International's Alex Butler reported an officer flagged Kennon's Dodge Durango for going 79 mph in a 50 mph zone. 

Kennon then fled from troopers when they attempted a traffic stop. He reached speeds of 150 mph before stopping because of a flat tire. WFLA-TV and UPI reported Kennon was seen exiting the vehicle and fleeing on foot. 

Police also discovered a woman with lacerations on her arm "covered in dirt stains, blood and grass."  The woman told police she and Kennon had been together in Ybor City and departed together in the vehicle. Per WFLA-TV, she said she told him to "stop the car more than 10 times" and didn't want to be involved. 

Kennon, 18, turned himself in and was arrested on Monday at 9:27 p.m. ET. The charges are: second-degree felony fleeing to elude, third-degree felony false imprisonment and resisting an officer, a misdemeanor. His lawyers — Michael Shapley of Jansen & Davis P.A. and Ralph Vickers of Suncoast Lawyer PLLC — filed a plea of not guilty on his behalf Tuesday in Hillsborough County. 

"We urge the public to keep in mind that Mr. Kennon has not been convicted of any crime at this time, and the legal process is ongoing," Shapley said, via Butler.

When WFLA-TV contacted Florida State for comment, it said, "[Kennon] was removed for conduct detrimental to the team." He's no longer listed on the roster.  

Kennon, the No. 6 CB in the 2026 class, had played one game for the Seminoles. Florida State (3-3) will face the Miami Hurricanes (5-0) on the road on Saturday (ESPN/Disney+, 7 p.m. ET).