GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Florida cornerback Jacques Rickerson was kicked off the team Tuesday after he was arrested and accused of slapping his girlfriend, choking her and then covering her face with a pillow.

The 20-year-old sophomore from St. Augustine was charged with felon battery and being held in the Alachua County jail.

"Jacques Rickerson is no longer part of our team — that is not what our program is about," coach Urban Meyer said in a statement.

Gainesville police said Rickerson slapped his girlfriend on the face, choked her, then covered her face with a pillow after she asked him to leave her apartment and he got upset.

Rickerson played in eight games this season for No. 4 Florida, recording 10 tackles and an interception.