Kentucky football dismisses senior defensive back Vito Tisdale for violation of team rules

Ryan Black, Louisville Courier Journal
·2 min read

LEXINGTON, Ky. — Kentucky defensive back Vito Tisdale is no longer a member of the Wildcats' program. UK announced his departure Tuesday afternoon in a tweet posted on the football program’s official Twitter account.

"Vito Tisdale has been dismissed from the team for a violation of team rules," the tweet read. "We have no additional comment on the matter."

A native of Bowling Green, Tisdale appeared in 19 games during his three seasons at UK. He missed the entire 2022 season after tearing his ACL.

Tisdale played in nine games, with two starts, as a sophomore in 2021. That season, he tallied 21 tackles (1.5 for loss), a sack, a pass breakup and a quarterback hurry. He led the team (and tied his personal best) with six tackles in a loss to Tennessee that fall. During his freshman season, he had 20 tackles (0.5 for loss), highlighted by a career-best six takedowns in Kentucky’s win over N.C. State in the Gator Bowl.

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Jan 1, 2022; Orlando, FL, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes wide receiver Arland Bruce IV (10) is unable to make a catch while defended by Kentucky Wildcats safety Vito Tisdale (7) during first half in the 2022 Citrus Bowl at Camping World Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 1, 2022; Orlando, FL, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes wide receiver Arland Bruce IV (10) is unable to make a catch while defended by Kentucky Wildcats safety Vito Tisdale (7) during first half in the 2022 Citrus Bowl at Camping World Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

Tisdale joined the Wildcats as one of the state's highest-rated recruits in the Class of 2020. He was the No. 3 player in Kentucky that year, according to the 247Sports Composite rankings. Tisdale was a U.S. Army All-American and earned first-team all-state honors after notching 88 tackles, four interceptions and two fumble recoveries during his senior season at Bowling Green High.

Tisdale ran into issues off the field during his time in Lexington.

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In August 2021, he was one of six UK football players charged with first-degree burglary, stemming from an incident earlier that year. Tisdale was also charged with wanton endangerment in the first degree, because he was "identified as the suspect pointing a handgun at one of the victims," according to a release from the Lexington Police Department.

A month later, a grand jury declined to indict the players. Five of the six players, including Tisdale, sued the Lexington Police Department in September 2021, claiming an officer "initiated false charges to frame and defame" the athletes.

Reach Kentucky men’s basketball and football reporter Ryan Black at rblack@gannett.com and follow him on Twitter at @RyanABlack.

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Kentucky football dismisses Vito Tisdale for violation of team rules