If you thought Georgia football was done making headlines for all the wrong reasons, think again. Just when things seemed to settle, the Bulldogs are back in the news—but not for their on-field dominance. This time, it’s got nothing to do with five-star recruits or championship rings. We’re talking reckless driving, crash reports, and a head coach who’s getting real tired of repeating himself. Kirby Smart, Georgia’s head coach, didn’t hold back when addressing the latest wave of legal trouble. The man is frustrated, and honestly, who can blame him?

On Tuesday, Smart stepped up to the mic and addressed the elephant in the room: The recent arrests of Georgia players Nitro Tuggle and Marques Easley. Both players found themselves in legal hot water over separate reckless driving incidents, leading to indefinite suspensions and arrests. Georgia Insider dropped Kirby Smart’s statement on the Dawg Post podcast: “Yeah, disappointed obviously, in those two young men and the decision-making process for each one. You know, both of them are younger players and have made crucial mistakes. As far as the process we followed, it’s not been several months. You know, it’s been several years in terms of defensive driving courses, having players ride and learn how to drive, just like my two kids did, with a driver’s service.” 

The timing couldn’t be worse. Georgia’s been trying to clean up its reputation after a string of driving-related arrests last season. In fact, the Bulldogs have had a staggering 32 incidents involving players or staff charged with reckless driving or speeding since the tragic 2023 crash that claimed the lives of Devin Willock and Chandler LeCroy. That alone should have been a wake-up call, but apparently, some lessons take longer to sink in.

This ain’t Georgia’s first rodeo when it comes to players making poor decisions behind the wheel. Let’s rewind. Last season alone, Georgia dismissed two players—David Daniel-Sisavanh and Rara Thomas—before the season even started. Trevor Etienne and Daniel Harris also missed games due to similar legal troubles. And now, here we go again. Tuggle and Easley were supposed to be key pieces for Georgia moving forward. Tuggle, a sophomore receiver, had started gaining traction after playing in eight games last season. He even flirted with the idea of entering the transfer portal in December but ultimately stuck around. Easley, a redshirt freshman offensive lineman, was expected to compete for playing time. But now? Their futures are murkier than ever.

Easley’s situation is particularly wild. The lineman didn’t just get caught speeding—he crashed his car into an apartment complex. Let that sink in. A 2021 Dodge Challenger, tire marks stretching back 200 feet, a power box destroyed, and multiple cars hit. Easley told officers he was only going “25 to 30 mph,” but investigators quickly called the cap on that one. “The damage and tire marks suggest otherwise,” the report stated.

Kirby Smart’s dilemma: Coach or babysitter?

Kirby Smart finds himself in a tough spot. He’s not just coaching football; he’s playing damage control, again. And the man is tired. He spoke candidly about the disciplinary process, making it clear that he doesn’t believe in a one-size-fits-all approach. “Each case is different,” he said. “These are 18, 19, 20-year-old kids. They make mistakes. Our job is to educate, discipline, and hopefully get them back on track.”

But at what point does Georgia have to take a harder stance? How many times does Smart have to answer for his players’ actions before something changes? The Bulldogs have already ramped up their educational efforts, bringing in speakers, implementing defensive driving courses, and holding individual meetings with players. And yet, the arrests keep happening.

So, what does this mean for Tuggle and Easley? As of now, both players remain suspended indefinitely. Their legal proceedings will determine their immediate futures, but their standing within the program is just as uncertain. Georgia’s administration has remained tight-lipped about the next steps, but sources say that Smart isn’t rushing to make a decision. “We’ll handle it internally,” he said.

For Georgia fans, it’s a frustrating reminder that off-the-field drama continues to be an issue. On the field, the Bulldogs are still a powerhouse. But when it comes to discipline? Let’s just say there’s work to be done. And for Kirby Smart? Well, he might need to start adding ‘defensive driving instructor’ to his resume.