Thames dismissed from MSU squad

June 3, 2011

Thames

By MATTHEW STEVENS
sdnsports@bellsouth.net
 
Mississippi State sophomore defensive back Dennis Thames has been dismissed from the football program for multiple violations of team policy.
The announcement from MSU officials occurred Friday after Thames, a Louisville, Miss., native, was arrested on May 31 in Winston County, Miss., for having marijuana and alcohol in the an automobile.
Thames had been previously arrested on a public intoxication charge before his freshman year and was suspended for the UAB contest last season for a violation of team rules.
The strong safety, who was listed as a second-string member behind senior Charles Mitchell on the 2011 spring depth chart, appeared in 10 games during the 2010 season for MSU accounting for 10 tackles including one for loss.
Mississippi State head coach Dan Mullen has declined to discuss with media the specific reasoning behind the dismissal other than saying it was multiple violations. An MSU spokesperson confirmed the news of Thames dismissal but stressed that's all the school would have to say on the matter.
BulldogBlitz.com beat reporter Bob Carskadon was the first to report this story Friday morning.
Thames was a four-star recruit coming out of Coming out of Louisville High School as Rivals.com had him ranked the No. 20 athlete in the country. He committed to MSU in January 2009 after being handed offers from Alabama, Tennessee, Auburn, Arkansas, Ole Miss and Michigan.
Thames is the nephew of current Major League baseball player and Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Marcus Thames.