Vanderbilt football WR no longer on team after arrest on assault, identity theft charges
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Vanderbilt football WR no longer on team after arrest on assault, identity theft charges
Aria Gerson, Nashville Tennessean·The Tennessean
·
2 min read
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AVanderbilt footballplayer arrested on Oct. 11 has been dismissed from the team.
Wide receiverKayleb Barnettwas arrested and charged with two felonies and a misdemeanor, according to court records acquired byThe Tennessean. Barnett, a sophomore, was charged of aggravated assault – strangulation, identity theft and use of a false ID. The former two charges are felonies, while the third is a misdemeanor.
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"We are aware of the situation. Kayleb Barnett violated team and university standards and is no longer with the program," the athletic department said in a statement.
According to arrest affidavits acquired by The Tennessean, a Metro Nashville Police Department officer witnessed a physical altercation south of the Shelby Street pedestrian bridge in downtown Nashville. Barnett was seen holding a victim in a chokehold while the victim appeared to be unconscious and bleeding, the officer said in the affidavit. A witness, who was the designated driver for the victim, told police that Barnett threw a punch at the victim first. Barnett countered that, telling police that the victim tried to punch him first and that he dodged the punch then held the victim down to protect himself.
Police determined Barnett was the primary aggressor, the record showed.
The affidavit also said Barnett had two IDs with different birthdays on him. The officers ran the IDs and found one belonged to Barnett and showed he was under 21. Barnett was born in August 2006, court records show. The other ID belonged to a different person, the affidavit stated.
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The Davidson County Sheriff's Office said Barnett was released on a $5,000 bond on Oct. 11. He is set to appear before a judge on Nov. 13 for a settlement hearing, court records show.
Vanderbilt Head Coach, Clark Lea walks off the field after Ole Miss won the game against Vanderbilt at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville on Saturday, October. 10, 2026.
(NICOLE HESTER / THE TENNESSEAN)
Mississippi Rebels quarterback Trinidad Chambliss (6)walks off the field after Ole Miss won the game against Vanderbilt at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville on Saturday, October. 10, 2026.
(NICOLE HESTER / THE TENNESSEAN)
Vanderbilt players walk off the filed after losing to Ole Miss at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville on Saturday, October. 10, 2026.
(NICOLE HESTER / THE TENNESSEAN)
Mississippi Rebels tight end Hayden Bradley (80) walks off the field after Old Miss won the game against Vanderbilt at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville on Saturday, October. 10, 2026.
(NICOLE HESTER / THE TENNESSEAN)
Vanderbilt Commodores fullback Gabe Fisher (44) walks off the field with his team after losing the game against Ole Miss at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville on Saturday, October. 10, 2026.
(NICOLE HESTER / THE TENNESSEAN)
Vanderbilt Commodores defensive end Miles Capers (29) and Vanderbilt Commodores safety CJ Heard tackle Mississippi Rebels running back Makhi Frazier (25) during the game between Vanderbilt and Ole Miss at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville on Saturday, October. 10, 2026.
(NICOLE HESTER / THE TENNESSEAN)
Vanderbilt Commodores wide receiver Junior Sherrill (0) runs the ball against Mississippi Rebels safety Edwin Joseph (14) during the game between Vanderbilt and Ole Miss at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville on Saturday, October. 10, 2026.
(NICOLE HESTER / THE TENNESSEAN)
Vanderbilt Commodores safety CJ Heard (8) runs after Mississippi Rebels wide receiver Deuce Alexander (1) while Vanderbilt Commodores safety Ricardo Jones (7) defends during the game between Vanderbilt and Ole Miss at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville on Saturday, October. 10, 2026.
(NICOLE HESTER / THE TENNESSEAN)
Vanderbilt Commodores linebacker Bryan Longwell runs after Mississippi Rebels wide receiver Deuce Alexander as he runs the ball during the game between Vanderbilt and Ole Miss at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville on Saturday, October. 10, 2026.
(NICOLE HESTER / THE TENNESSEAN)
Mississippi Rebels linebacker Luke Ferrelli (12) defends against Vanderbilt Commodores quarterback Jared Curtis (2) during the game between Vanderbilt and Ole Miss at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville on Saturday, October. 10, 2026.
(NICOLE HESTER / THE TENNESSEAN)
Mississippi Rebels running back Kewan Lacy (5) celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the game between Vanderbilt and Ole Miss at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville on Saturday, October. 10, 2026.
(NICOLE HESTER / THE TENNESSEAN)
Mississippi Rebels safety Sharif Denson runs to tackle (7) Vanderbilt Commodores tight end Cole Spence (16) during the game between Old Miss and Vanderbilt at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville on Saturday, October. 10, 2026.
(NICOLE HESTER / THE TENNESSEAN)
Mississippi Rebels quarterback Trinidad Chambliss (6) looks to pass during the game between Vanderbilt and Ole Miss at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville on Saturday, October. 10, 2026.
(NICOLE HESTER / THE TENNESSEAN)
Vanderbilt Commodores long snapper Kaden Schickel (54) defends against Mississippi Rebels wide receiver Deuce Alexander (1) during the game between Vanderbilt and Ole Miss at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville on Saturday, October. 10, 2026.
(NICOLE HESTER / THE TENNESSEAN)
Vanderbilt Commodores running back Makhilyn Young (22) receives the ball during the game between Old Miss and Vanderbilt at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville on Saturday, October. 10, 2026.
(NICOLE HESTER / THE TENNESSEAN)
Mississippi Rebels quarterback Trinidad Chambliss (6) passes the ball during the game between Vanderbilt and Ole Miss at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville on Saturday, October. 10, 2026.
(NICOLE HESTER / THE TENNESSEAN)
Vanderbilt Commodores tight end Maurice Veney (19) looks on during the game against Ole Miss at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville on Saturday, October. 10, 2026.
(NICOLE HESTER / THE TENNESSEAN)
Mississippi Rebels quarterback Trinidad Chambliss (6), receives the ball during the game between Old Miss and Vanderbilt at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville on Saturday, October. 10, 2026.
(NICOLE HESTER / THE TENNESSEAN)
Vanderbilt Commodores wide receiver Kayleb Barnett (13) attempts to run the ball but is blocked by Old Miss defense players during the game between Old Miss and Vanderbilt at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville on Saturday, October. 10, 2026.
(NICOLE HESTER / THE TENNESSEAN)
Mississippi Rebels defensive tackle Jamarious Brown (96) celebrates with Mississippi Rebels quarterback Trinidad Chambliss (6) during the game between Old Miss and Vanderbilt at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville on Saturday, October. 10, 2026.
(NICOLE HESTER / THE TENNESSEAN)
Vanderbilt Commodores quarterback Jared Curtis (2) looks to pass during the game between Vanderbilt and Ole Miss at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville on Saturday, October. 10, 2026.
(NICOLE HESTER / THE TENNESSEAN)
Mississippi Rebels wide receiver Deuce Alexander (1) celebrates after a touchdown during the game between Vanderbilt and Ole Miss at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville on Saturday, October. 10, 2026.
(NICOLE HESTER / THE TENNESSEAN)
1/22
Inside Vanderbilt vs Ole Miss: See our best SEC football pictures
Vanderbilt Head Coach, Clark Lea walks off the field after Ole Miss won the game against Vanderbilt at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville on Saturday, October. 10, 2026.
(NICOLE HESTER / THE TENNESSEAN)
1/22
Inside Vanderbilt vs Ole Miss: See our best SEC football pictures
Vanderbilt Head Coach, Clark Lea walks off the field after Ole Miss won the game against Vanderbilt at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville on Saturday, October. 10, 2026.
(NICOLE HESTER / THE TENNESSEAN)
2/22
Inside Vanderbilt vs Ole Miss: See our best SEC football pictures
Mississippi Rebels quarterback Trinidad Chambliss (6)walks off the field after Ole Miss won the game against Vanderbilt at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville on Saturday, October. 10, 2026.
(NICOLE HESTER / THE TENNESSEAN)
3/22
Inside Vanderbilt vs Ole Miss: See our best SEC football pictures
Vanderbilt players walk off the filed after losing to Ole Miss at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville on Saturday, October. 10, 2026.
(NICOLE HESTER / THE TENNESSEAN)
4/22
Inside Vanderbilt vs Ole Miss: See our best SEC football pictures
Mississippi Rebels tight end Hayden Bradley (80) walks off the field after Old Miss won the game against Vanderbilt at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville on Saturday, October. 10, 2026.
(NICOLE HESTER / THE TENNESSEAN)
5/22
Inside Vanderbilt vs Ole Miss: See our best SEC football pictures
Vanderbilt Commodores fullback Gabe Fisher (44) walks off the field with his team after losing the game against Ole Miss at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville on Saturday, October. 10, 2026.
(NICOLE HESTER / THE TENNESSEAN)
6/22
Inside Vanderbilt vs Ole Miss: See our best SEC football pictures
Vanderbilt Commodores defensive end Miles Capers (29) and Vanderbilt Commodores safety CJ Heard tackle Mississippi Rebels running back Makhi Frazier (25) during the game between Vanderbilt and Ole Miss at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville on Saturday, October. 10, 2026.
(NICOLE HESTER / THE TENNESSEAN)
7/22
Inside Vanderbilt vs Ole Miss: See our best SEC football pictures
Vanderbilt Commodores wide receiver Junior Sherrill (0) runs the ball against Mississippi Rebels safety Edwin Joseph (14) during the game between Vanderbilt and Ole Miss at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville on Saturday, October. 10, 2026.
(NICOLE HESTER / THE TENNESSEAN)
8/22
Inside Vanderbilt vs Ole Miss: See our best SEC football pictures
Vanderbilt Commodores safety CJ Heard (8) runs after Mississippi Rebels wide receiver Deuce Alexander (1) while Vanderbilt Commodores safety Ricardo Jones (7) defends during the game between Vanderbilt and Ole Miss at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville on Saturday, October. 10, 2026.
(NICOLE HESTER / THE TENNESSEAN)
9/22
Inside Vanderbilt vs Ole Miss: See our best SEC football pictures
Vanderbilt Commodores linebacker Bryan Longwell runs after Mississippi Rebels wide receiver Deuce Alexander as he runs the ball during the game between Vanderbilt and Ole Miss at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville on Saturday, October. 10, 2026.
(NICOLE HESTER / THE TENNESSEAN)
10/22
Inside Vanderbilt vs Ole Miss: See our best SEC football pictures
Mississippi Rebels linebacker Luke Ferrelli (12) defends against Vanderbilt Commodores quarterback Jared Curtis (2) during the game between Vanderbilt and Ole Miss at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville on Saturday, October. 10, 2026.
(NICOLE HESTER / THE TENNESSEAN)
11/22
Inside Vanderbilt vs Ole Miss: See our best SEC football pictures
Mississippi Rebels running back Kewan Lacy (5) celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the game between Vanderbilt and Ole Miss at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville on Saturday, October. 10, 2026.
(NICOLE HESTER / THE TENNESSEAN)
12/22
Inside Vanderbilt vs Ole Miss: See our best SEC football pictures
Mississippi Rebels safety Sharif Denson runs to tackle (7) Vanderbilt Commodores tight end Cole Spence (16) during the game between Old Miss and Vanderbilt at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville on Saturday, October. 10, 2026.
(NICOLE HESTER / THE TENNESSEAN)
13/22
Inside Vanderbilt vs Ole Miss: See our best SEC football pictures
Mississippi Rebels quarterback Trinidad Chambliss (6) looks to pass during the game between Vanderbilt and Ole Miss at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville on Saturday, October. 10, 2026.
(NICOLE HESTER / THE TENNESSEAN)
14/22
Inside Vanderbilt vs Ole Miss: See our best SEC football pictures
Vanderbilt Commodores long snapper Kaden Schickel (54) defends against Mississippi Rebels wide receiver Deuce Alexander (1) during the game between Vanderbilt and Ole Miss at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville on Saturday, October. 10, 2026.
(NICOLE HESTER / THE TENNESSEAN)
15/22
Inside Vanderbilt vs Ole Miss: See our best SEC football pictures
Vanderbilt Commodores running back Makhilyn Young (22) receives the ball during the game between Old Miss and Vanderbilt at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville on Saturday, October. 10, 2026.
(NICOLE HESTER / THE TENNESSEAN)
16/22
Inside Vanderbilt vs Ole Miss: See our best SEC football pictures
Mississippi Rebels quarterback Trinidad Chambliss (6) passes the ball during the game between Vanderbilt and Ole Miss at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville on Saturday, October. 10, 2026.
(NICOLE HESTER / THE TENNESSEAN)
17/22
Inside Vanderbilt vs Ole Miss: See our best SEC football pictures
Vanderbilt Commodores tight end Maurice Veney (19) looks on during the game against Ole Miss at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville on Saturday, October. 10, 2026.
(NICOLE HESTER / THE TENNESSEAN)
18/22
Inside Vanderbilt vs Ole Miss: See our best SEC football pictures
Mississippi Rebels quarterback Trinidad Chambliss (6), receives the ball during the game between Old Miss and Vanderbilt at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville on Saturday, October. 10, 2026.
(NICOLE HESTER / THE TENNESSEAN)
19/22
Inside Vanderbilt vs Ole Miss: See our best SEC football pictures
Vanderbilt Commodores wide receiver Kayleb Barnett (13) attempts to run the ball but is blocked by Old Miss defense players during the game between Old Miss and Vanderbilt at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville on Saturday, October. 10, 2026.
(NICOLE HESTER / THE TENNESSEAN)
20/22
Inside Vanderbilt vs Ole Miss: See our best SEC football pictures
Mississippi Rebels defensive tackle Jamarious Brown (96) celebrates with Mississippi Rebels quarterback Trinidad Chambliss (6) during the game between Old Miss and Vanderbilt at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville on Saturday, October. 10, 2026.
(NICOLE HESTER / THE TENNESSEAN)
21/22
Inside Vanderbilt vs Ole Miss: See our best SEC football pictures
Vanderbilt Commodores quarterback Jared Curtis (2) looks to pass during the game between Vanderbilt and Ole Miss at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville on Saturday, October. 10, 2026.
(NICOLE HESTER / THE TENNESSEAN)
22/22
Inside Vanderbilt vs Ole Miss: See our best SEC football pictures
Mississippi Rebels wide receiver Deuce Alexander (1) celebrates after a touchdown during the game between Vanderbilt and Ole Miss at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville on Saturday, October. 10, 2026.
(NICOLE HESTER / THE TENNESSEAN)
TheCommodores(3-3, 0-3 SEC) lost to Ole Miss, 52-17, on Oct. 10 at FirstBank Stadium.
Barnett has been used as a gadget wide receiver. This season, he has seven catches for 36 yards and one rush for two yards. In 2025, he had six catches for 53 yards and a touchdown and six rushes for 29 yards. He was a 3-star recruit out of Tulsa, Okla., who attended Jenks High School.
Against Ole Miss, Barnett recorded two catches for minus-6 yards.
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Tennessean news reporter Rachel Wegner contributed to this report.
