The Georgia Bulldogs have had a major issue with players getting arrested for off-the-field issues during the Kirby Smart era — and while the UGA head coach has publicly acknowledged the disturbing trend and taken measures to turn it around — another player was arrested on Friday morning.
While traffic incidents have been one of the leading causes for arrest, Friday’s charges are far more serious.
Georgia wideout Rara Thomas was arrested early Friday morning on two counts of battery, both misdemeanors, and one count of second-degree cruelty to children, a felony. All three of the charges carry a “family violence” distinction.
Thomas was arrested by the Athens-Clarke County Police Department and is still incarcerated as he awaits a bond hearing. He was taken into custody and booked into the jail at 3:20 a.m. ET.
The Eufaula, Ala. native is in his second season playing for the Georgia Bulldogs. Thomas was at Mississippi State for his first two years, leading the Bulldogs in receiving for the 2022 season. He entered the transfer portal after that season and was courted by the likes of Auburn, Ole Miss, and Tennessee, among others, before choosing Athens to continue his football future.
This isn’t the first time Thomas has gotten in trouble with the law.
Less than a month after enrolling at UGA to play for the Georgia Bulldogs. Thomas was arrested at a similar time of day for a misdemeanor count of family violence and a felony account of false imprisonment. Each of those charges were soon dropped as Thomas entered a pretrial diversion program and was required complete anger management and community service.
Thomas played the 2023 season at Georgia where he struggled at times to learn the offense but flashed the ability to create big plays. He caught 23 passes for 383 yards and a touchdown on the year. Thoams had three catches for 30 or more yards and two of 40-plus. He also missed the final three games of the season with a broken foot, including Georgia’s only loss of the season to Alabama in the SEC Championship game.
Georgia Bulldogs Continue Disturbing Trend Of Players Getting Arrested Under Kirby Smart
Since January 2022, more than 10 Bulldogs have been arrested; and the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported that in Smart’s seven-year tenure, women have come forward and accused 11 players of some form of abuse. Incoming freshman defensive tackle Jamaal Jarrett was not charged but was investigated in connection with a sexual assault claim during a visit to Georgia when he was 16 years old, and it was reported that Jarrett missed curfew and had been drinking that night as well.
Former Georgia Bulldogs linebacker Adam Anderson, who was charged in connection with with separate rape incidents, entered a plea deal in July, pleading down two felony rape charges to misdemeanor sexual battery with a maximum of 12 months of jail time.
Driving-related offenses have been a major issue for Georgia during Smart’s tenure. In fact, there have been over 300 driving offenses since Smart took over the program.
Just a few weeks ago, two UGA players were arrested in separate driving incidents.
The most notable of the above-mentioned issues is the tragic car crash that included Jalen Carter, who was cited with reckless driving for “drag racing” with the other vehicle that eventually crashed. The crash took the lives UGA recruiting staffer Chandler LeCroy, whose blood alcohol limit was .197, and offensive lineman Devin Willock.
In March, Georgia Bulldogs RB Trevor Etienne was arrested for DUI and reckless driving. His probable one-game suspension adds to the increasingly lawless image of coach Kirby Smart’s Georgia Bulldogs program. Georgia continues to play with a fire that is reminiscent of Florida’s Urban Meyer era.
Georgia policy calls for a 10 percent of the schedule suspension for players arrested on DUI. In Etienne’s case, that should amount to one game, the season opener against Clemson. Georgia won’t commit to anything until the legal process plays out. But words such as “consequences” have been tossed out in appeasement attempts. This normally means there won’t be much in the way of consequences at all.
Previously, Football team members who have been arrested on such charges have been suspended for games. However, Smart has not confirmed those suspensions until after the games.
The Georgia Bulldogs have also worked with their NIL collective to fine players significantly if they have issues with the law.
