Just months after the last Georgia wide receiver was arrested for violent conduct, the Bulldogs find themselves in a similar situation. Colbie Young, the 6’3″, 215-pound red-zone target for Georgia, was arrested early Tuesday morning on multiple misdemeanor counts of assault and battery.
This marks the second instance of a Georgia wide receiver facing serious charges for violent behavior since late July. Rara Thomas was previously arrested on charges of battery and cruelty to children and was subsequently dismissed from the team.
Colbie Young: Arrested on multiple misdemeanors – https://t.co/54sSMeZTal
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While full details of the current charges remain unclear, the arresting officers reported the charges at 4:20 a.m. ET, citing “assault on an unborn child” and “battery.” Young’s bond for the battery charge was set at $2,500, and as of this morning, he remains incarcerated.
This situation now puts head coach Kirby Smart in a difficult position. The precedent for handling such matters was set earlier this year when Rara Thomas was dismissed following his violent charges. However, Thomas’ situation was different as he had prior offenses, including charges of “family violence” and “false imprisonment” shortly after joining the Bulldogs over a year ago.
Colbie Young, on the other hand, does not have a known history of violence, making this his first major charge since joining the program. Smart may opt for a different course of action compared to Thomas, depending on how the investigation unfolds. However, the severity of the accusations may leave Smart with little room for leniency.
According to a report from *DawgNation* at 9:45 a.m. ET, the victim is a 20-year-old woman who had visited Young’s apartment to discuss their relationship. It was during this encounter that Young allegedly assaulted her.
Young’s arrest makes him the seventh Georgia player to be taken into custody since the spring. Most of the previous arrests were related to driving infractions, with Rara Thomas being the only other player charged with violent offenses.
Given the rising concerns around team culture at Georgia, the handling of Young’s case could set an important precedent. While some players arrested earlier in the year were only suspended for a single game, the nature of Young’s charges may prompt a harsher response from the program. As more details emerge, all eyes will be on how Smart and the Georgia administration handle this developing situation.