Georgia Football Commit Chace Calicut Charged in Texas Drive-By Shooting, Casting Serious Doubts Over Future With Bulldogs Program
The University of Georgia’s football program is once again in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons as one of its 2025 commits, Chace Calicut, has been charged in connection with a drive-by shooting that occurred in Texas earlier this month. The shocking development has reverberated through the college football world, raising serious questions about the vetting process in recruiting and putting Calicut’s future with the Bulldogs in jeopardy. The incident has not only stunned Georgia fans but also drawn national media attention due to the severity of the charges and the prominence of the player involved.
Chace Calicut, a 17-year-old four-star wide receiver from Duncanville High School in Texas, was arrested following an investigation by local authorities in connection with a late-night shooting that took place outside a residential area in southern Dallas County. According to a statement released by the Duncanville Police Department, Calicut was identified as a suspect after witnesses and surveillance footage tied him to a vehicle used in the shooting. The report alleges that multiple shots were fired from a moving car toward a home occupied by several individuals, including two minors. No fatalities occurred, but one person was injured in the leg and required hospitalization.
The shooting reportedly stemmed from a personal dispute involving acquaintances of Calicut, although the full motive remains under investigation. Law enforcement officials have not confirmed whether Calicut himself fired the weapon or was simply involved in the planning and execution of the drive-by. Nonetheless, he faces serious charges, including aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, reckless endangerment, and unlawful use of a firearm from a motor vehicle. These are felony offenses under Texas law, and if convicted, Calicut could face a lengthy prison sentence.
Following his arrest, Calicut was held at the Dallas County Juvenile Detention Center before being released on bond pending further court proceedings. His legal team issued a brief statement maintaining his innocence and urging the public to withhold judgment until all facts are presented in court. “Chace Calicut is a young man with a bright future, and we believe the truth will ultimately exonerate him,” said his attorney, who also confirmed that Calicut would be cooperating fully with the investigation.
The University of Georgia was quick to acknowledge the situation. A spokesperson for the athletic department issued a written statement noting that the university is aware of the legal proceedings and will be “monitoring developments closely.” While Calicut has not yet signed a National Letter of Intent, he is considered one of the key pieces in Georgia’s 2025 recruiting class, which is ranked among the best in the country. His commitment was seen as a major win for Kirby Smart’s program, especially given Georgia’s ongoing efforts to reload at the wide receiver position.
The university declined to comment further, citing privacy concerns and the fact that Calicut is not yet an enrolled student-athlete. However, multiple sources within the program have suggested that Georgia may be re-evaluating Calicut’s place in the recruiting class. “This is not something you can just ignore,” one anonymous source close to the team said. “There’s a difference between youthful mistakes and very serious criminal allegations. It will be up to the staff and the administration to make a hard call here.”
Calicut’s high school, Duncanville High, also responded swiftly. The school district released a statement confirming that the incident took place off-campus and that they are cooperating with law enforcement. Calicut has reportedly been suspended from participating in team activities while the investigation is ongoing. His head coach, a respected figure in Texas high school football, expressed shock at the allegations. “This is not the young man we know,” the coach said. “We’re praying for everyone involved and waiting to learn more.”
The incident has reignited a broader debate around player conduct and the recruitment process in college football. Critics argue that programs place too much emphasis on athletic potential while failing to adequately assess a recruit’s character and background. In recent years, high-profile programs like Georgia, Alabama, and Florida have faced criticism over players running into legal trouble before ever stepping on campus. In Georgia’s case, this is yet another troubling incident in a series of off-field issues that have plagued the program despite its on-field dominance.
In 2023 and 2024 alone, multiple Georgia players were arrested on charges ranging from reckless driving to more serious allegations. In one instance, a former player was involved in a tragic fatal crash that led to increased scrutiny of the program’s disciplinary protocols. Although head coach Kirby Smart has publicly emphasized character in recruiting, some believe the results suggest otherwise. “At some point, you have to ask whether winning is being prioritized over doing due diligence on recruits,” said one SEC analyst.
Calicut’s legal troubles could not come at a worse time for Georgia. The Bulldogs are preparing for another championship run, and while Calicut was not expected to contribute immediately in 2025, his commitment was seen as a signal that Georgia’s recruiting machine was still operating at full speed. Losing him would not only be a hit to the class’s depth at wide receiver but could also impact momentum with other recruits, especially those with ties to Texas.
Beyond the immediate implications for the football program, there’s also the human element to consider. Calicut is still a teenager, and while the charges against him are serious, there remains the possibility that he was caught up in a bad situation rather than being a willing participant. Legal experts have cautioned against rushing to judgment, noting that the distinction between presence and direct involvement can make a significant difference in court.
Still, public opinion has already begun to turn. Social media has been filled with commentary, some of it sympathetic and some highly critical. Georgia fans, long used to supporting a program with national title aspirations, are frustrated by the perception that off-field discipline is becoming a recurring issue. Some have called for Georgia to pull Calicut’s offer immediately, while others believe the university should wait until the legal process has played out.
This situation also brings renewed attention to how college programs handle allegations against non-enrolled athletes. Because Calicut has not yet signed with Georgia officially, the university has more flexibility to withdraw his offer than they would with a current player. That said, the optics of such a move carry their own weight. Rescinding an offer based on an arrest alone, without a conviction, could expose the program to criticism from advocates of due process. Yet failing to act decisively could also be interpreted as a tacit endorsement of criminal behavior.
Meanwhile, the victim of the drive-by shooting remains in stable condition, and their family has asked for privacy. Law enforcement officials have not released additional details, citing the ongoing nature of the investigation and the involvement of minors. What is known is that the shooting was not random, and that Calicut and his alleged accomplices knew at least some of the people involved. That fact could influence the legal outcome, depending on how Texas law applies to intent, conspiracy, and presence during the commission of a violent act.
Calicut’s next court date is scheduled for later this summer, and more details are expected to be made public during the preliminary hearings. Until then, his future—both as a football player and as a young man navigating serious legal jeopardy—remains uncertain. For Georgia, this is a pivotal moment. How the program responds to the Calicut situation will set a precedent for how it handles future controversies and will either reinforce or undermine its stated commitment to character and integrity.
As the Bulldogs continue their march toward what they hope will be another College Football Playoff appearance, the shadow of off-field controversy looms large once again. Whether Calicut’s story becomes one of redemption or regret will depend not just on the outcome in court, but on the actions taken by all parties involved. One thing is certain: in today’s hyper-connected world of college athletics, character and conduct are under as much scrutiny as athletic talent—and the consequences for failing to uphold both can be just as significant.
