BLACKSBURG, Va. — Virginia Tech tailback Michael Holmes has been kicked out of school after being convicted of assault and battery.

Athletics department spokesman Bryan Johnston said Tuesday that the decision was made by a student judicial panel.

Holmes was charged with felony malicious wounding after a fight April 21. He was convicted of the reduced misdemeanor charge on June 13 and was given a one-year suspended sentence. Two counts of simple assault were dropped.

The 20-year-old sophomore from Harrisonburg started five games last season, rushing for 280 yards and four touchdowns. He was in the mix for playing time next season along with J.C. Coleman and Trey Edmunds, who were first and second on the depth chart at the end of spring practice.