Kirby Smart is facing an ongoing challenge as Georgia Bulldogs players continue to find themselves in trouble, particularly with traffic-related offenses. Despite his efforts in building Georgia into a dominant force in college football, these incidents persist, raising concerns about discipline within the program.
Since 2023, there have been 24 driving-related offenses involving Georgia players, mostly related to speeding violations. However, some cases have been more serious. One of the most tragic incidents occurred in January 2023 when offensive lineman Devin Willock and staff member Chandler LeCroy lost their lives in a car accident shortly after the Bulldogs’ national championship celebration. Even with such a devastating event, players have continued to engage in reckless driving behavior.
Recently, offensive lineman Marques Easley and wide receiver Nitro Tussle became the latest players to face consequences for their actions. Easley was involved in a car accident, while Tussle was arrested for speeding and reckless driving.
Commentary from Chris Gordy, host of Locked on SEC, highlighted how Smart is struggling to control the situation. He questioned why these issues keep recurring and pointed out that, ultimately, the responsibility falls on Smart’s shoulders as head coach. Gordy expressed frustration over the fact that Smart has repeatedly had to answer for his players’ actions during SEC media days.
Other players have also been involved in legal troubles beyond traffic violations. In September 2024, cornerback Daniel Harris was arrested for reckless driving. Running back Trevor Etienne faced DUI charges and was also arrested. Additionally, in October 2024, wide receiver Colbie Young was arrested on battery and assault charges related to an unborn child. Although he was suspended for the season, he was later reinstated after being cleared of wrongdoing.
Gordy suggested that Smart needs to enforce stricter punishments to curb these issues. He argued that the current disciplinary measures are not enough and that Georgia may need to consider half-season suspensions or harsher penalties for repeat offenders. He emphasized that this problem is not limited to a single group of players but spans multiple recruiting classes over several years.
To address the latest cases, Smart and Georgia’s management have imposed indefinite suspensions on Easley and Tussle. This means both players will be sidelined from all team activities until further notice. For Easley, this delays his debut with the Bulldogs even further, while Tussle, who saw only eight minutes of playing time in 14 games last season, may find his future with the team in jeopardy.
This ongoing pattern of misconduct is a major concern for Georgia’s football program. Despite Smart’s leadership and the team’s success on the field, these repeated incidents cast a shadow over their achievements. While Smart is taking stricter action, players also need to take personal responsibility to prevent these issues from happening again.