Georgia’s Kirby Smart says players being fined by collective for driving-related violations

DALLAS — Georgia players are facing suspensions for driving violations, coach Kirby Smart confirmed on Tuesday, but there has been another internal punishment: fines via the program’s collective, which have been happening for a while, Smart said.

“Our Classic City Collective for over a year has been substantially fining guys for those things,” Smart said. “That’s not something that’s new. That’s something that’s been ongoing outside of my jurisdiction that they decided to implement and have done for a considerable amount.”

Georgia has continued to have problems with driving-related arrests, including two last week. Seven players have been arrested on driving-related charges since the January 2023 car crash that killed player Devin Willock and staff member Chandler LeCroy in which police found LeCroy had been drinking and racing with then-player Jalen Carter.

Safety David Daniel-Sisavanh, arrested on reckless driving in February, has been dismissed from the program for what Smart only would term a violation of team rules.

There have been speeding tickets and a staff member (Jarvis Jones) was arrested for speeding. Another player, Jamon Dumas-Johnson, was arrested last year for a street racing incident that happened before the crash.

Smart has declined to specify what the suspensions will be, only confirming them after the fact, such as last year when receiver Marcus Rosemy-Jacksaint was suspended for a speeding arrest. As this season approaches, running back Trevor Etienne (DUI) and linebacker Smael Mondon (reckless driving, racing) seem likely to face suspensions. But Smart said he would not publicize those suspensions in advance.

“I don’t necessarily think it’s right to go down to the town square and publicly shame kids when that happens,” Smart said. “They go through a lot, and there’s a lot of remorse from these young men who’ve made mistakes. But our job is to educate, continue to grow these young men.”