Tennessee cornerback Bryce Thompson suspended indefinitely following arrest
KNOXVILLE — Tennessee cornerback Bryce Thompson is suspended indefinitely following his arrest Saturday night on a charge of misdemeanor domestic assault.
The Vols' season opener is Saturday against Georgia State, and Thompson was expected to play a key role in UT's defense this season after he was a Freshman All-American in 2018.
"Bryce Thompson is suspended indefinitely while the process continues," Vols coach Jeremy Pruitt said in a statement Monday. "We hold our student-athletes to a high standard. The safety of all students is our first priority here at Tennessee."
Pruitt declined to elaborate on the situation when asked by the News Sentinel during his news conference Monday.
“I released a statement today," Pruitt said, "and that’s all we’re going to talk about that for right now. We’re going to focus on this game, and, for us, that’s what we can focus on.”
University of Tennessee police arrested Thompson on campus after he had an argument with a woman with whom he's in a relationship, according to an arrest report. He was jailed overnight and released Sunday morning on $3,000 bond.
He is scheduled for arraignment at Knox County General Sessions Court on Sept. 3.
Thompson told the woman he is in a relationship with that he would "slap the (expletive) out of you," witnesses told police Saturday. The two were arguing after the woman found fake eyelashes belonging to someone else in Thompson's room, according to police.
Two witnesses told police they heard a man who was yelling at a woman threaten to "shoot up the school," according to an arrest report.
Thompson denied making any threats or physical contact with the woman. He admitted to damaging a gate at the residence hall.
Thompson started 10 games last season and led the team with three interceptions. Alontae Taylor is listed as the starter at one cornerback position for Saturday's game, while Warren Burrell and Shawn Shamburger are listed as co-starters for the other cornerback spot.
Shamburger and Taylor also are options to play nickelback.
Burrell is a freshman who has had a strong preseason. He is expected to debut Saturday. Jerrod Means is another freshman cornerback who should receive some snaps.
“We’ve got a lot of guys that deserve to play, so we’ll probably play them all," Pruitt said.
Thompson becomes the third projected starter on defense who is expected to miss the season opener. Defensive tackle Emmit Gooden is out for the season with a torn anterior crucial ligament, and middle linebacker Daniel Bituli is doubtful following a preseason knee procedure.