Kentucky announced on Tuesday that 4th-year defensive back Vito Tisdale has been dismissed from the program for a violation of team rules. The program did not have any additional information to offer on what led to the dismissal.

Tisdale was one of the top recruits from the state of Kentucky in the Class of 2020. He played right away for the Wildcats in his 1st season on campus and then took a step toward starting as a sophomore in 2021, but endured a rocky calendar year in 2022.

Around this time last year, Tisdale tore his ACL during one of Kentucky’s spring practices. That injury forced him to miss the entire 2022 season. Tisdale was believed to be the Wildcats’ top option at nickel at that time.

He was also 1 of 5 Kentucky players who filed a lawsuit last fall against the Lexington Police Department alleging, among other things, malicious prosecution, fabrication of false evidence, and defamation stemming from burglary charges the year prior.

Tisdale and 5 other teammates were charged with burglary in March 2021, charges that were dismissed after a grand jury decided not to indict them. An investigation by the university also found no wrongdoing by the players.

Kentucky head coach Mark Stoops said earlier this month that Tisdale was back at practice when UK opened spring ball and that he was close to full-go.

Tisdale was once again believed to be the favorite to start at the nickel spot in Kentucky’s defense. The Bowling Green native has 3 career starts in 19 appearances, 41 total tackles, 2 tackles for loss, 1 sack, and 1 pass breakup.

His departure should open up an opportunity for sophomore Alex Afari to win a starting job.