Three University of Tennessee football players have been arrested in connection with an attempted armed robbery in Knoxville early this morning.

Police charged Nu'Keese Richardson, Janzen Jackson and Mike Edwards with attempted armed robbery after allegedly trying to rob three men outside a convenience store.

Victims told police that they were sitting inside their vehicle, parked next to a Toyota Prius, while a friend was inside the Pilot store and were approached by a black male wearing a black hoodie and brandishing a black handgun.

"The victims stated that a black male then exited from the passenger side of the Prius, wearing a black hoodie, walked around to the front passenger door of their car, opened it, and stated, 'give us everything you've got,' " DeBusk said.

The victims told police that they all showed their wallets to the suspects and showed them that they did not have any money. A third black male then approached and told the other two suspects, "We've got to go," DeBusk said. The suspects then got into the Prius and drove away.

Police spotted the Prius a short time later and stopped the vehicle and arrested the three players.

"In plain view, officers observed two black hoodies on the back sat. Underneath the back seat, officers located a black, CO2-powered pellet gun.

Tennessee players charged in robbery     (AJC)