PISCATAWAY, N.J. -- Rutgers junior linebacker L.J. Liston has been dismissed from the football team.

Coach Kyle Flood made the announcement Friday.

Liston appeared in 22 career games in two seasons with the Scarlet Knights, making 31 tackles, including one tackle for loss. He was suspended one game last season for violating team academic rules. He also started one game.

Liston, South Carolina transfer Kaiwan Lewis and junior college transfer Isaiah Johnson were considered the top three contenders for the starting job at middle linebacker for the Big Ten team.

"L.J. is no longer a member of the Rutgers football program," Flood said. "He's currently exploring other options for his career as a student-athlete. We wish him well."