Two Georgia football players were arrested separately this week on charges of reckless driving, continuing a concerning trend of driving-related incidents within the program.
Linebacker Smael Mondon and offensive lineman Bo Hughley each faced misdemeanor charges, according to Anthony Dasher of UGASports.com. Athens-Clarke County police arrested Mondon on Wednesday night, charging him with reckless driving and racing on highway streets.
Meanwhile, University of Georgia police charged Hughley with reckless driving and failure to maintain a proper lane following a single-car accident on Tuesday night.
Both players were released shortly after their arrests, each posting bonds totaling $26.
Mondon, a former five-star recruit, had an impressive junior year at Georgia, tallying 68 tackles and three sacks. He also made eight tackles in the SEC Championship Game loss to Alabama. Hughley, who redshirted last season after joining Kirby Smart’s program as a local four-star recruit, has yet to play for the Bulldogs. The 6-foot-7, 280-pound offensive tackle was expected to contribute more this season.
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These recent arrests are part of a troubling pattern of driving-related offenses within the Georgia football program. In March, running back Trevor Etienne was charged with a DUI and other misdemeanors after driving 80 mph in a 50 mph zone. Two months later, wide receiver Sacovie White was arrested for reckless driving after allegedly driving the wrong way on a one-way street.
These incidents follow a tragic event last year when Georgia player Devin Willock and staffer Chandler LeCroy died in a car crash. They were allegedly racing star defender Jalen Carter at the time.
Following White’s arrest, Chip Towers of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution highlighted the alarming number of traffic-related arrests within the Georgia football program, noting 18 such incidents since the start of 2023. With the arrests of Mondon and Hughley, that total has now risen to 20.
The series of incidents raises serious concerns about the conduct and supervision within the program. As the Bulldogs prepare for the upcoming season, the team and coaching staff will need to address these off-field issues to maintain the program’s reputation and ensure the safety and well-being of its players.
