Memphis football defensive lineman Chris Stokes has been kicked off the team after he was arrested on June 25 for allegedly carrying a weapon on campus.
“We are aware of the situation and, due to the ongoing investigation, cannot provide further comment,” a spokesperson told Memphis TV stations. “Effective immediately, Chris has been removed from the football program.”
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Stokes was pulled over while leaving the school’s South Campus and was driving “at a high rate of speed,” according to court records. After he was pulled over, a police officer asked Stokes for his driver’s license. According to the arrest report, Stokes said his license was in his backpack. The police officer later “observed the license resting on top of a handgun.”
Carrying a weapon on school campus is a misdemeanor.
A redshirt sophomore from Dallas, Georgia, Stokes started his collegiate career at Marshall in 2024. He followed coach Charles Huff from Marshall to Southern Miss in 2025 and then again from Southern Miss to Memphis after that season. He did not record any stats during his two seasons in college.
Stokes was a three-star recruit coming out of high school and initially chose Marshall over offers from Georgia Tech, East Carolina and others.
This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Memphis football DL Chris Stokes no longer part of program after weapon arrest
