Another player with ties to the Georgia football program was arrested for being reckless on the roads.
Eagles linebacker Nolan Smith Jr., who played for the Bulldogs from 2019-22, was arrested last Friday and accused of speeding and reckless driving in Georgia, the Twiggs County Sheriff’s Office told ESPN.
Smith, 25 was clocked going 135 mph in a 70-mph zone on the interstate at 10:41 p.m. ET, according to notes taken by a sheriff’s office staffer relayed to ESPN on Wednesday.
The Sheriff’s office, according to the report, also said Smith made bond and was released shortly after the arrest. A future court date for Smith has reportedly been issued.
The Georgia Gazette first reported Smith’s arrest.
Smith, 25, was selected by the Eagles — who begin organized team activities next Tuesday — in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft.
He’s part of an Eagles defense that includes other former Bulldogs stars in Nakobe Dean, Jalen Carter and Jordan Davis.
Smith tallied 6.5 regular-season sacks in 2024 and tallied four in the playoffs while helping the Eagles to their second Super Bowl triumph.
He’s tallied 10.5 sacks in his three seasons, including three in 12 games this past season.
The Georgia football program, which has been led by head coach Kirby Smart the past 10 years, has had problems with some of its players being irresponsible on the roadways.
- Ja’Marley Riddle, 19, was arrested on May 8 on felony charges for possession of a controlled substance and a misdemeanor speeding charge, a police report obtained by WGIG 98.7 FM showed. The arrest occurred after an undercover Glynn County Police officer observed the cornerback traveling nearly 100 mph and weaving in and out of traffic, and radioed for a marked unit to stop the vehicle, according to the police report. Riddle faces felony charges of purchase, possession, manufacture, distribution or sale of marijuana, and sale of a schedule I or II controlled substance.
- Chris Cole and Darren Ikinnagbon were arrested on Feb. 18 on driving-related charges by Athens-Clarke County police, according to The Athletic. Per their jail log, Cole was charged with reckless driving and speeding-maximum limits, while Ikinnagbon received misdemeanor charges of reckless driving, following too closely and speeding-maximum limits. Both players were reportedly released within an hour of being booked, with Cole let go on bonds totaling $26 and Ikinnagbon’s at $39.
- In 2025, three players were arrested for reckless driving in 2025 — Nitro Tuggle, Marques Easley and Nyier Daniels. None are still with the team.
- In 2023, offensive lineman Devin Willock and recruiting coordinator Chandler LeCroy were both killed in a high-speed crash. The incident also involved Carter, who was accused of racing LeCroy’s SUV before it crashed.