If any program is poised to succeed Alabama as the next dominant NCAA dynasty, Georgia football seems ready for the challenge. Despite the intense competition, especially within the SEC, Kirby Smart has elevated the Bulldogs to the top and positioned them for sustained success. With two national championships already under their belt, they have a chance to own the 2020s.
However, will Georgia’s dominance be overshadowed by its troubling arrest rate? The team has struggled to stay out of the spotlight for negative reasons, particularly with over 20 driving-related incidents involving players that have led to arrests or citations since 2023.
What’s even more concerning is that many of these incidents occurred after the tragic car accident that claimed the lives of offensive lineman Devin Willock and recruiting staffer Chandler LeCroy. Smart acknowledges the situation is serious but emphasizes that both he and the university are working hard to address the issue.
“I’ll repeat what I’ve been saying: we’ve worked very hard with our administration to try to prevent it, stop it, and most importantly, keep everyone safe,” he told ESPN’s Chris Low. “We need to find a way to do that.”
Georgia football is taking action, but there is far more work to be done
Players have faced punishments such as suspensions or loss of their NIL earnings, yet the number of troubling incidents remains high. It’s clear that discipline alone isn’t enough to change the culture, at least not yet. Georgia football must examine the environment they’re fostering and the values they’re imparting to their young athletes. While their intentions may be good, the current situation shows there’s still plenty of room for improvement.
The Bulldogs are central to discussions about the university, the Athens community, and even the state of Georgia itself. They are expected to represent these institutions with dignity and respect. Kirby Smart will need to continue finding ways to tackle this issue. Otherwise, his reputation may not just be tied to college football, but also to a growing safety concern.
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