UGA Football coach Kirby Smart Won't Comment on Trevor Etienne's Status Before Clemson
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ATHENS - UGA Football coach Kirby Smart said Monday that he would not say if RB Trevor Etienne will play the No. 1 Georgia Bulldogs’ opener against the 14th-ranked Clemson Tigers in Atlanta later this month.
"I don't really talk about the other stuff," Kirby said about possible suspensions of UGA players.
Kirby did not say if a decision had been reached about Etienne’s status for the game, either.
"We don't discuss those,” he said when asked if he or UGA had made a decision on if Etienne will play.
Etienne was arrested in March on DUI alcohol less safe, reckless driving, failure to maintain lane/improper driving on road and affixing materials that reduce the visibility of windows/windshield charges.
But the DUI charges against Etienne were dropped in July. UGA players have not typically been suspend for charges that have since been dropped.
Police alleged that Etienne had been going going 80 to 90 mph in a 50-mph zone and twice crossed over a double yellow line to pass vehicles. Etienne admitted to authorities that he drank three beers “way earlier” before driving. Etienne was not of legal age to drink in Georgia in March.
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Earlier in the month, Kirby said that Etienne has been helpful for UGA’s running backs.
“Trevor is the leader of the room,” the head coach said of the running backs. “He understands things and does a really good job of setting the tempo and standard. We are looking forward to getting all of those guys ready to go.”
Kirby Smart said in the spring that he was going to let the legal process play out before announcing discipline for the running back.
"As we also know, kids sometimes don't make the best decisions," Smart said of Etienne. "The older you get, sometimes the tougher the consequences are for your mistakes. He's not going to let this mistake define him. He's embarrassed. He's upset. He knows he made a mistake. It's a teaching moment, and we hope he gets better from it.”
Etienne is expected to be Georgia’s leading rusher in the 2024 season after transferring in from Florida. The experienced SEC back rushed for 753 yards for the Gators last season along with eight touchdowns.
Georgia kicks off against No. 14 at noon on Saturday in Atlanta. The Bulldogs are considered a 13.5-point favorite to win the game.
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