A University of Georgia football player was arrested on Thursday night for a driving-related incident, marking a significant trend of university football players being detained for similar incidents.
Cornerback Daniel Harris was pulled over by police and arrested for reckless driving after allegedly driving 106 mph, which was 41 mph over the speed limit, on a wet road, reported ESPN.
Harris was reportedly traveling on the Georgia 10 outer at the College Station Road entrance ramp in a 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee when he was pulled over around 8 p.m. and booked into Clarke County Jail around 10:40 p.m.
The sophomore cornerback was later released on a $50 bond around 11:49 p.m. after he was charged with both reckless driving and driving without a seatbelt, per ESPN.
Officials from the university declined to comment on the arrest and there has yet to be any indication whether Harris would be available for the team’s upcoming game.
This arrest adds to the high number of driving-related incidents that have occurred by players within the program over the last 18 months, as there have now been 23 players arrested for speeding, reckless driving, or racing since an accident killed left offensive lineman Devin Willock and recruiting staffer Chandler LeCroy on January 15, 2023, per Online Athens.
Georgia Head Coach Kirby Smart discussed the growing trend of incidents occurring within his program and said he would be “the first to admit” that the program has not come up with a solution.
“The incidents that have been happening off the field are not something we condone,” Smart said at SEC media days, per Yahoo Sports.
“It’s very unfortunate — disappointing I guess is the best word. I always talk about processing outcomes in wins and losses. We try not to base things on outcomes. In this case, the outcomes are very disappointing.”
Smart further added that he is more worried about the safety of his players and those who could be involved in any future incidents, noting that the program is “still talking about” ways to fix the issue.
“The most important thing is the safety, the health and safety, of our players and our community. We have to do a better job,” Smart said, per ESPN.
Although the Bulldogs have yet to find a solution to the high number of driving-related arrests, they will now have to focus on an upcoming game against the University of Kentucky Wildcats on September 14 at 6:30 p.m.
