Defensive lineman Derrick Lykes was dismissed from the Auburn football team for a violation of team rules, a school spokesman confirmed this afternoon.
The backup appeared in 16 games during his Auburn career, making 12 tackles, nine of which came in 2009. He played in only three games last year, making three tackles.
He did not appear on the 105-member practice roster for August that was released Wednesday afternoon.
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Defensive line coach Mike Pelton spoke optimistically about Lykes in the spring.
“I think Derrick Lykes has impressed me a little bit,” he said. “He’s really had a tough go of it with some off the field issues. But he’s been a guy that’s really been fighting.”
Although Lykes wasn’t expected to have a major role, his departure doesn’t help Auburn’s depth at tackle, where sophomores Ken Carter and Jeffrey Whitaker are projected starters, with true freshmen Gabe Wright and Angelo Blackson expected to be in the mix.