Florida State Dismisses Top Recruit Following High-Speed Chase

Florida State has dismissed freshman cornerback Chuck Kennon from its football program following his arrest on multiple felony charges stemming from a high-speed police chase over the weekend.

According to reports, the incident began early Sunday morning when an officer observed Kennon's Dodge Durango traveling at 79 mph in a 50-mph zone in Tampa, Florida. During the subsequent pursuit, the vehicle allegedly reached speeds exceeding 150 mph, disregarded a red light, and ultimately collided with a curb. A flat tire brought the chase to an end, and police reported that Kennon fled into a nearby industrial plant.

Officers discovered Kennon's phone inside the Durango. A woman present in the vehicle sustained lacerations to her arm and told authorities she had asked Kennon to stop more than 10 times due to his reckless driving. She was detained by police.

Kennon surrendered to authorities on Monday. He faces charges including aggravated fleeing to elude (a second-degree felony), false imprisonment (a third-degree felony), and resisting an officer without violence (a misdemeanor), according to court records. He is currently being held at the Falkenburg Road Jail.

Florida State confirmed Kennon's dismissal on Tuesday, citing conduct detrimental to the team. He is no longer listed on the Seminoles' roster.

The Sarasota native had appeared in one game this season, playing late in a victory against Virginia on October 3, but did not record any statistics. Kennon, a 6-foot-2, 186-pound freshman, was considered the 51st overall recruit nationally and the sixth-best cornerback in the 2026 recruiting class, according to 247Sports. He had committed to Florida State over offers from numerous other programs, including Texas, Louisville, and Texas A&M.

This departure marks a significant loss for Florida State, which is currently navigating a challenging season under head coach Mike Norvell, who has faced scrutiny following a recent blowout loss to Louisville. The Seminoles, with a 3-3 record, are scheduled to play in-state rival No. 3 Miami on Saturday.