Former Georgia national champion becomes the latest in an ever-growing line of Bulldogs to get charged with speeding violation

The Georgia Bulldogs have had issues with players speeding over the years, and now a former standout-turned-NFL Pro is the latest to deal with it.

Rob Gregson — NFL News Writer
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Jan 9, 2023; Inglewood, CA, USA; Georgia Bulldogs linebacker Nolan Smith (4) celebrates with the championship trophy after defeating the TCU Horned Frogs during the CFP national championship game at SoFi Stadium.
Jan 9, 2023; Inglewood, CA, USA; Georgia Bulldogs linebacker Nolan Smith (4) celebrates with the championship trophy after defeating the TCU Horned Frogs during the CFP national championship game at SoFi Stadium. Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

For as great a program as the Georgia Bulldogs are on the field, they have run into a lot of trouble off the gridiron over the years. The stories about former national champion quarterback, Stetson Bennett are well-documented, and we know that players in and around Athens have been regulars when it comes to speeding violations.

Well, that has continued with one player who left the Bulldogs years ago, and it appears to be fairly serious.

Nolan Smith Facts

  • Former first-round pick of the Philadelphia Eagles
  • Won back-to-back national championships at Georgia
  • Had his fifth-year option exercised by Philly in 2025.

Former Georgia Bulldogs national champion Nolan Smith arrested for speeding

“Eagles OLB Nolan Smith was arrested for “speeding in excess of maximum limits and reckless driving”, per the Georgia Gazette. Smith, 25, was booked into the Twiggs County Jail after going 137 mph in a 70 mph zone.” – Sleeper Eagles

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For Smith, the arrow is pointing up. After a slow start to his NFL career, the former first-rounder just had his fifth-round option exercised, meaning the Eagles will own his rights through the 2027 season, and they obviously have a desire to extend him long term.

From a pure negotiation standpoint, this doesn’t help Smith’s case, however. A general manager like Howie Roseman in Philadelphia is loyal to a fault, but he’s no dummy when it comes to being a businessman.

As for Georgia, it’s gone beyond “there is something in the water down there” to a serious problem that actually hurts the university. Even in the age of NIL and transfer portal, at some point, parents and advisors are going to look at the growing line of evidence and probably suggest going somewhere else.

The mean machine will always be a wagon under Kirby Smart, but I wouldn’t be surprised if we see all of these off-field incidents catch up to Georgia in the upcoming recruiting cycles.

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