Florida State dismisses top football recruit after 150-mph car chase, felony arrest

· New York Post

Florida State’s top recruit, freshman cornerback Chuck Kennon, was dismissed from the program on Tuesday after a high-speed chase with police over the weekend.

Kennon’s Dodge Durango was flagged by an officer for going 79 mph in a 50-mph zone in the early morning hours on Sunday in Tampa, Fla., according to UPI.

During the pursuit, the SUV reportedly reached speeds in excess of 150 mph, ran a red light and collided with a curb.

A flat tire caused the car to stop, and an officer reportedly observed Kennon fleeing into a nearby industrial plant.

Chuck Kennon, who played as a defensive back for the Florida State Seminoles, is seen in a booking photo provided by the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office. HCSO

While searching for the 18-year-old, police found Kennon’s phone in the Durango, and a woman with lacerations on her arm said she left Ybor City with him and asked to be let out more than 10 times when he began driving recklessly.

She was placed in handcuffs and detained.

Kennon turned himself in on Monday and is facing three charges: aggravated fleeing to elude (second-degree felony), false imprisonment (a third-degree felony) and resisting an officer without violence (a misdemeanor), according to court records viewed by The Post.

He is currently being held in Falkenburg Road Jail.

Former Florida State Seminoles defensive back Chuck Kennon appears in a photo posted to Instagram on Aug. 8, 2026. Instagram/Chuck Kennon

On Tuesday, Florida State confirmed to multiple outlets that Kennon was dismissed for conduct detrimental to the team. He is no longer listed on the Seminoles’ roster.

The Sarasota native appeared in just one game this season, playing late in a 38-7 victory against Virginia on Oct. 3. He didn’t register any stats.

The 6-foot-2, 186-pound freshman was the star of Florida State’s 2026 recruiting class. Kennon was the 51st overall recruit in the nation and the sixth-best cornerback, according to 247Sports.

Booker defensive back and wide receiver Chauncey Kennon (0) uses a stiff arm against Lely wide receiver Dwayne Liberal (12) during a football game in Naples, Florida, Friday, Aug. 23, 2024. Booker defeated Lely 46-0. USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

He chose the Seminoles over more than three dozen offers, including Texas, Louisville and Texas A&M.

Kennon was the highest-ranked defensive back for Florida State since four-star Charles Lester III in 2024.

Losing a highly touted recruit adds another crushing blow for Florida State, with head coach Mike Norvell already on the hot seat after a blowout 44-20 loss to Louisville on Friday.

The Seminoles (3-3) take on in-state rival No. 3 Miami (5-0) on Saturday.