According to jail records, Georgia’s starting linebacker, Smael Mondon, was arrested by Athens-Clarke County police on Wednesday night for speeding and reckless driving.
This comes just one day after freshman offensive lineman, Bo Hughley, was arrested by University of Georgia police on similar charges. The team seems to be struggling with driving offenses, as this issue persists over a year after a player and staff member tragically lost their lives in a racing accident.
Jail records indicate that Hughley was able to post a $26 bond following his arrest on Tuesday night. He is facing misdemeanor charges of reckless driving and failure to maintain a lane.
Mondon, a senior who had an impressive 68 tackles last season, was booked at 11:05 p.m. on Wednesday and also posted a $26 bond early Thursday morning. It is currently unclear whether Mondon or Hughley have obtained legal representation.
On March 24, Trevor Etienne, a running back for the Georgia Bulldogs, was arrested by the Athens-Clarke County police on various charges including drunken driving, failure to maintain a lane or improper driving, and affixing materials that reduce visibility through the windows or windshield.
During a hearing in Athens-Clarke County Municipal Court on Wednesday, the DUI charges against Etienne were dismissed when he pleaded no contest to reckless driving, underage possession of alcohol, and two other driving offenses. Etienne, who transferred from Florida, now faces these charges instead.
It remains uncertain whether Etienne will be eligible to play in Georgia’s season-opening game against Clemson on August 31. According to the team’s policy, athletes convicted of DUI typically receive a suspension of at least one game. In a similar situation, Georgia wide receiver Marcus Rosemy-Jacksaint served a one-game suspension after pleading guilty to a reckless driving charge in 2023.
On Thursday, Georgia did not issue a prompt statement regarding the recent arrests. However, coach Kirby Smart is scheduled to speak to the media on Tuesday during the Southeastern Conference media days in Dallas.
Smart has previously admitted to facing difficulties in persuading his players to prioritize safe driving. Tragically, in January 2023, shortly after Georgia’s consecutive national title win, an accident occurred resulting in the loss of offensive lineman Devin Willock and recruiting staffer Chandler LeCroy. The crash took place during a race between LeCroy and defensive tackle Jalen Carter.