University of Georgia sophomore wide receiver NiTareon “Nitro” Tuggle was arrested early Thursday morning on misdemeanor charges of reckless driving and speeding. According to Athens-Clarke County Police, Tuggle was clocked driving at 107 mph on the Outer Loop near College Station Road. The arrest occurred shortly after 10:00 p.m. on March 19, 2025, when an officer observed Tuggle’s vehicle exceeding the speed limit by over 40 mph. Tuggle, who was driving a 2021 Dodge Charger with his girlfriend as a passenger, was taken into custody and released on a $26 bond approximately an hour later.
In response to the arrest, Georgia head coach Kirby Smart suspended Tuggle indefinitely from all team activities. This suspension follows a history of driving-related incidents within the program, including a fatal crash in January 2023 that claimed the lives of offensive lineman Devin Willock and recruiting staffer Chandler LeCroy. Smart has previously expressed concerns about the challenges of addressing speeding and reckless driving among players.
Tuggle, a four-star recruit from NorthWood High School in Indiana, appeared in eight games during the 2024 season, recording three receptions for 34 yards. He was expected to take on a more prominent role in the Bulldogs’ offense in the upcoming 2025 season.
The University of Georgia has not provided further comment on Tuggle’s suspension or the incident. The program has faced multiple driving-related arrests in recent years, prompting ongoing discussions about player safety and responsibility.
The University of Georgia football program is once again under the spotlight following the arrest of sophomore wide receiver NiTareon “Nitro” Tuggle on charges of reckless driving and excessive speeding. Tuggle, a promising talent expected to play a key role in the Bulldogs’ 2025 offense, was taken into custody late Wednesday night in Athens, Georgia.
According to a report from the Athens-Clarke County Police Department, the 19-year-old wideout was caught driving at 107 miles per hour in a 55-mph zone on the Loop 10 highway near College Station Road. Police say Tuggle was driving a 2021 Dodge Charger with his girlfriend in the passenger seat when he was pulled over around 10:06 p.m. on April 17.
