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Kirby Smart was once again asked about offseason issues surrounding his Georgia football team. The Bulldogs have seen a number of players involved in traffic-related offenses, a trend that dates back to January of 2023.
Punishment for those incidents has been a topic of conversation throughout the summer, with many viewing the UGA coach’s approach as lax.
While Smart noted that players are now being docked NIL money as a result of run-ins with the law, most have not seen their on-field eligibility threatened.
Transfer wide receiver Rara Thomas was kicked off the team in August, although his growing list of issues included a felony battery charge on top of multiple traffic-related citations. For the most part, however, driving violations have not been met with a heavy hand.
That’s rubbed some the wrong way given the frequency of these issues over the last two offseasons, one of which resulted in the death of a player and staff member.
For that reason, many in the media continue to ask Kirby Smart how he intends to handle the incidents.
On Monday, he cryptically hinted that suspensions could be in store.
Kirby Smart spoke on Trevor Etienne’s status for Week 1.
The former Florida running back transferred to Georgia ahead of the 2024 season. It now seems his UGA debut could have to wait a week.
Though Smart wouldn’t decisively say that Etienne would be sidelined for an opener vs. Clemson, he did say the following:
“I don’t really talk about any of the other stuff in regard to any of our players with suspensions. But I’m excited about all the guys that are gonna get an opportunity to play.”
-Kirby Smart
He also failed to mention Etienne’s name when asked about his running back group.
Trevor Etienne is the brother of former Clemson star Travis Etienne. He left Florida after back-to-back 700-yard seasons.
He was arrested for DUI and reckless driving a few months after arriving in Athens, eventually reaching a plea deal where the DUI charge was dismissed.
Kirby Smart wouldn’t definitively say that the arrest would lead to a suspension, but he seemed to imply it with his deflections. We’ll see if Etienne lines up against his brother’s alma mater on opening weekend.
If not, the Bulldogs will be a bit thinner at running back.