Cops cite UT backup linebacker for underage drinking

Sophomore Ryan Karl became the team’s eighth player to have a brush with the law since January when he was cited on July 9. Six other players were arrested or cited last year.

Karl has already been punished internally, coach Phillip Fulmer said Monday.

Four players have been suspended for games this season for misbehavior, but Karl will not miss any games, Fulmer said.

“He received a ticket for minor consumption. It happened after a group of guys still unknown to him jumped him,” Fulmer said. “He got beat up. The officers that came gave him a citation.”

Officers said Karl smelled of alcohol and had slurred speech, according to a campus police report obtained on Monday. Karl turned 20 this month.

A city court judge on Aug. 19 dismissed a $50 fine and placed Karl on pretrial diversion, meaning he could ask to have his record expunged if he stays out of trouble for 30 days. He paid $96.50 in court costs, according to court records.

Karl, an honors student and the 2003 Tennessee Gatorade player of the year out of Franklin, played in 11 games last year and recorded six tackles. He intercepted a pass and returned it 36 yards in the Volunteers’ win over Texas A&M in the Cotton Bowl.

“He’s certainly learned,” Karl’s attorney Jeff Hagood said. “He’ll be a good representative of his family and his school.”

Fulmer said he was not aware of any other players involved in the incident.

Karl’s citation is minor compared to the arrests of three players this year on aggravated assault charges. Two other players were charged with misdemeanor assault.