Two more Georgia players, including linebacker Smael Mondon, were arrested for reckless driving – WABE

Georgia Bulldogs starting linebacker Smael Mondon was arrested Wednesday night by Athens-Clarke County police on charges of speeding and reckless driving, according to jail records.

A day earlier, freshman offensive lineman Bo Hughley was arrested by University of Georgia police on similar charges as the team’s problems with traffic violations continue more than a year after a player and a staff member died in a racing accident.

Jail records show Hughley posted $26 bail after his arrest Tuesday night on charges of reckless driving and failure to maintain lane.

Mondon, a senior who finished second on the team with 68 tackles last season, was arrested at 11:05 p.m. Wednesday after being arrested on a misdemeanor charge and was ordered to post $26 bail early Thursday morning. It was not clear whether Mondon or Hughley had retained an attorney.

On March 24, Athens-Clarke County police arrested running back Trevor Etienne on charges of driving while intoxicated, failing to maintain lane or driving improperly, and placing materials that obstruct visibility through the windows or windshield.

Charges against Etienne, a Florida resident, were dropped during a hearing in Athens-Clarke County Municipal Court on Wednesday when he pleaded guilty to charges of reckless driving, possession of alcohol as a minor and two other traffic violations.

It is unknown if Etienne will be available for Georgia’s season opener against Clemson on Aug. 31. Under Georgia team policy, athletes convicted of drunken driving face a minimum of one game suspension. Georgia wide receiver Marcus Rosemy-Jacksaint served a one-game suspension after pleading guilty to reckless driving in 2023.

Georgia did not immediately release a statement on the latest arrests Thursday. Georgia coach Kirby Smart is scheduled to speak to the media on Tuesday at the Southeastern Conference media days in Dallas.

Smart acknowledged last year that he had a hard time convincing his players to drive carefully. In January 2023 – hours after Georgia celebrated its second consecutive national title – offensive lineman Devin Willock and recruiting staff member Chandler LeCroy were killed in a crash while LeCroy and defensive tackle Jalen Carter were racing.