Since January 2023, more than 25 Bulldogs have been arrested or cited for driving-related offenses. This February alone, police arrested LBs Darren Ikinnagbon and Chris Cole after they were clocked driving 105 mph and passing vehicles. Now, a Georgia safety joins that list.

On Friday, May 8, East Carolina transfer DB Ja’Marley Riddle was arrested in Glynn County, Georgia, for speeding. Police clocked the Georgia safety driving a red Dodge Durango south on Interstate 95 at approximately 95 to 100 miles per hour. But that’s not all, as officers allegedly noted a strong odor of marijuana radiating from the vehicle. Then, packets of marijuana and THC vape cartridges were uncovered.

With that, Riddle was booked into the Glynn County Detention Center on two felony drug charges and a misdemeanor traffic violation. He joined the Bulldogs in 2026, following his 2025 campaign with the Pirates, where he logged 70 tackles, starting all 13 games. So, the six-foot, 185-pound DB has enough talent to make a standout performance this season.

But this recurring pattern of traffic violations has heavily plagued Georgia under Kirby Smart, and now this safety’s future with the Bulldogs is hanging by a thread. For example, take former Georgia WR Nitro Tuggle’s case.

Tuggle was arrested last March following an Athens-Clarke County police officer’s clocking his 2021 Dodge Charger traveling at 107 mph. He was booked on two misdemeanor charges: reckless driving and speeding. While after posting a small cash bond, he was released, Smart announced Tuggle’s immediate, indefinite suspension.

Tuggle was suspended alongside freshman Marques Easley, who had crashed his own vehicle. However, by April 2025, the WR entered the transfer portal to leave Georgia permanently. He transferred to Purdue and started 11 games, logging 34 catches for 500 yards in 2025. Considering that, Riddle’s Georgia future seems uncertain.

But the school has released no decision yet. Though the scrutiny surrounding the Bulldogs’ driving habits escalated severely after a tragic January 2023 crash.

Georgia saw a tragedy in 2023

Just hours after Georgia celebrated its back-to-back national championships, that tragedy happened. It killed the Bulldogs’ 20 YO OL Devin Willock, who was sitting in the back seat behind the driver, and 24 YO recruiting analyst Chandler LeCroy, was trapped behind the wheel after the crash. LeCroy’s SUV was clocked via video analysis traveling at 104.2 miles per hour immediately before the wreck.

Then, OL Warren McClendon suffered minor head lacerations, and recruiting staffer Victoria Bowles suffered catastrophic injuries. LeCroy had a blood alcohol concentration of .197, toxicology reports later revealed. The families of Willock and the surviving Bowles filed multi-million dollar lawsuits targeting Jalen Carter and UGA athletics.

After that, Georgia implemented internal discipline, including mandatory defensive driving and financial fines. Despite that, it continues to face national criticism for its ongoing speeding epidemic.