Tennessee redshirt freshman LB/DE Ryan Thaxton
University of Tennessee football player Ryan Thaxton was arrested Sunday night and charged with domestic assault and false imprisonment, according to local court records.
According to a report that was first published by the Knoxville News Sentinel, Thaxton pushed his girlfriend toward his dorm room when she refused to accompany him to the room. The report stated Thaxton then carried his girlfriend inside his room and blocked the door when she attempted to leave after an argument.
Tennessee officials offered a statement on the incident, noting that Thaxton has been suspended from “all team activities” during the investigation — an investigation by local law enforcement and the university.
"We are aware of the incident,” Tennessee’s statement said. “The student-athlete has been suspended from all team activities while law enforcement and the university investigates.”
Thaxton, a redshirt freshman outside linebacker and defensive end, did not play last season, and he was expected to enter preseason camp closer to the bottom than the top of the depth chart at his position. The Alexandria, Va., native considered playing college basketball before choosing to play football at Tennessee, and he’s been considered a developmental prospect with upside as an edge defender.
