TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — The University of Alabama football program dismissed reserve defensive back Dre Kirkpatrick Jr. on Tuesday following his arrest on allegations that he harassed and doxed a campus police officer, head coach Kalen DeBoer announced.
Kirkpatrick, a junior, was initially suspended ahead of the Crimson Tide’s 31-20 victory over Texas A&M on Saturday. DeBoer announced the permanent removal after athletic department officials reviewed the circumstances surrounding the legal matter.
“After gathering more information on the situation, Dre Kirkpatrick Jr. will no longer be a part of our program,” DeBoer said in a statement. “He did not live up to the standards and expectations that I have set for this team and our players.”
Kirkpatrick was taken into custody on Friday and charged with misdemeanor offenses of harassing communications and doxing, according to court documents obtained by multiple media outlets.
Investigators alleged that Kirkpatrick contacted a University of Alabama police officer who had arrested him during the 2025 season. Kirkpatrick allegedly transmitted profanity-laden Facebook Messenger notes to the officer on Oct. 20, including a demand that the officer respond, NBC Sports reported, citing arrest records.
Authorities also alleged that Kirkpatrick published an image of the officer alongside his wife and two children on Facebook with the text “Dis him?” according to police filings reported by Fox News.
Prior Legal Troubles and Suspensions
Friday’s arrest marks the latest in a series of disciplinary actions and legal troubles for Kirkpatrick during his tenure in Tuscaloosa.
During the 2025 campaign, university police arrested him on three counts of reckless endangerment alongside charges of speeding and attempting to elude law enforcement. Alabama suspended Kirkpatrick for the final seven contests of that season before permitting him to rejoin team activities during spring practices.
In June 2026, Kirkpatrick was cited on misdemeanor charges stemming from a separate vehicle incident, including leaving the scene of an accident and unlawfully operating a motor vehicle, according to court records cited by the Associated Press.
Legacy and On-Field Role
Kirkpatrick joined the Crimson Tide in 2024 as a defensive back with deep family ties to the university. His father, Dre Kirkpatrick Sr., played cornerback under former head coach Nick Saban, helping lead Alabama to national titles before becoming a first-round selection by the Cincinnati Bengals in the 2012 NFL Draft and playing 10 professional seasons.
The younger Kirkpatrick served primarily as a rotational contributor in Alabama’s secondary and on special teams units. He participated in each of Alabama’s opening seven games this season, tallying five tackles. Across 28 appearances spanning three seasons with the program, he accumulated 17 total tackles and forced two fumbles.
What Lies Ahead
With Kirkpatrick off the roster, Alabama moves forward through the remainder of its regular season schedule without the junior reserve.
Kirkpatrick now faces pending court proceedings in Tuscaloosa regarding both the recent doxxing and harassment charges as well as the unresolved traffic incident from June. Court dates and potential legal penalties have not yet been publicly scheduled.
