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Even without resolution on armed robbery and theft charges, Kyle Whittingham announced in an early Friday statement that projected starter Dominique Hatfield has been dismissed from the team for "further concerns" about Hatfield's off-field behavior.

The junior cornerback himself broke the news late Thursday night, tweeting that he hopes to play again at another school.

Hatfield, 20, is accused of pulling a knife on a man who responded to an online classified ad, demanding his money and running off with $180 in cash.

Later the night of the alleged robbery, the victim's wife contacted the same classifieds profile and set up another sale. When Hatfield arrived at the scene, Unified Police arrested him.

Police say Hatfield carried two iPhones that he admitted to finding at parties and advertising for sale without first trying to return them to their owners.

Hatfield attorneys Greg Skordas and Greg Phillips had hoped that surveillance video from a nearby Maverik would show another man who matched the victim's initial description of the robbery suspect, though the victim later identified Hatfield as the man who robbed him.

Both Skordas and the Salt Lake County District Attorney's Office received the footage Thursday, but both sides declined immediate comment.

Hatfield's arraignment is scheduled for July 21.

As far as the NCAA is concerned, Hatfield has three seasons left to play two.

The Crenshaw native played as a true freshman, catching four passes, returning seven kicks and making seven tackles on special teams.

He then won raves at wideout in last year's spring camp, but a fall camp injury to Reginald Porter forced a switch to cornerback, which Hatfield hadn't played since high school.

It didn't show. Hatfield would start 10 games in 2014, totaling 38 tackles, nine pass breakups and an interception he returned 20 yards for a touchdown in Boulder. He became a vocal on-field leader and attracted attention off-field for having earned an athletic scholarship despite a rough background.

Without Hatfield and Eric Rowe, a second-round draft pick of the Philadelphia Eagles, Utah is thin on experience at corner.

After junior Justin Thomas, the rest of Utah's cornerbacks have combined in their time at the U. for seven tackles and one pass breakup.

Whittingham's statement would be the extent of his comment Friday, said sports information director Liz Abel. Hatfield did not immediately return a request for comment.

The Tribune will update this story when possible.

mpiper@sltrib.com

Twitter: @matthew_piper