Georgia football players who were arrested in March on offenses linked to driving use the transfer portal.
In March 2025, the University of Georgia’s football program faced renewed scrutiny following the arrest of wide receiver Nitro Tuggle on charges of reckless driving and speeding. This incident added to a troubling pattern of driving-related offenses involving Georgia football players, raising concerns about the program’s culture and disciplinary measures.
Nitro Tuggle’s Arrest and Suspension
On March 20, 2025, sophomore wide receiver Nitro Tuggle was arrested by Athens-Clarke County Police for reckless driving and speeding. He was booked just before 2 a.m. and released an hour later on a $20 cash bond. Tuggle had previously considered entering the transfer portal in December 2024 but chose to remain with the Bulldogs. Following his arrest, Georgia suspended Tuggle indefinitely from all team activities
In the same announcement, freshman offensive lineman Marques Easley was also suspended indefinitely. Easley had been involved in a vehicle crash earlier that week, which was under investigation at the time. These suspensions highlighted ongoing issues within the program related to player conduct and driving offenses.
Broader Pattern of Driving-Related Incidents
Tuggle’s arrest was not an isolated case. Since a fatal crash in January 2023 that claimed the lives of offensive lineman Devin Willock and recruiting staffer Chandler LeCroy, Georgia’s football program has seen over two dozen arrests or citations for speeding, reckless driving, or racing. Notable incidents include:
- Trevor Etienne: In March 2024, the running back was arrested for DUI and reckless driving after allegedly driving between 80-90 mph following a night out in downtown Athens
- Sacovie White: The freshman wide receiver was arrested in May 2024 for reckless driving and driving the wrong way on a one-way street. He was released on a $26 bond
- Bo Hughley: In July 2024, the redshirt freshman offensive lineman was arrested for reckless driving and failure to maintain lane
- Smael Mondon and Demello Jones: Both players were arrested in July 2024 for racing and reckless driving after allegedly racing each other on West Broad Street
These incidents suggest a systemic issue within the program regarding player behavior and adherence to traffic laws.
Transfer Portal Movements
While Tuggle had previously considered entering the transfer portal, there is no public record of him doing so following his March 2025 arrest. However, other Georgia players have utilized the transfer portal, some following legal issues:
- Rara Thomas: After being dismissed from Georgia in August 2024 due to charges of felony false imprisonment and misdemeanor family violence battery, Thomas transferred to Troy University in March 2025 following a plea deal in his case
- Smoke Bouie: The defensive back transferred to Georgia in January 2023 but was no longer on the roster by July 2023. He entered the transfer portal in August 2023 after being arrested for driving with a suspended license and providing false identification to law enforcement
These cases illustrate how legal troubles can impact player trajectories and decisions regarding transfers.
Program Response and Cultural Concerns
Georgia head coach Kirby Smart has publicly acknowledged the challenges in curbing such behavior among players. Following Etienne’s arrest, Smart stated, “I can only speak for my university, but I think we do it better than anybody in the country in terms of education, speakers.” He noted the increase in players owning vehicles, potentially due to NIL deals, as a contributing factor
Despite these educational efforts, the recurrence of driving-related incidents suggests deeper cultural issues within the program. The frequency of such offenses raises questions about the effectiveness of current disciplinary measures and the overall environment fostered within the team.
The arrest of Nitro Tuggle in March 2025 underscores ongoing concerns within the Georgia football program regarding player conduct, particularly related to driving offenses. While the program has implemented educational initiatives, the persistence of such incidents indicates a need for more effective strategies to address and prevent misconduct. As the program continues to navigate these challenges, the decisions made by players, including potential transfers, will significantly impact the team’s culture and reputation moving forward.
