University of Georgia head football coach Kirby Smart announced on Wednesday that wide receiver Colbie Young has been indefinitely suspended following his arrest early Tuesday morning. Young faces misdemeanor charges of battery and assault on an unborn child. The suspension comes as the Bulldogs contend with a growing list of off-field issues among their players.
In a statement made during the SEC coaches’ teleconference, Smart confirmed Young’s suspension and emphasized the seriousness of the situation. “He’s been suspended indefinitely until the legal matter is resolved,” Smart said. “We met this morning, and while I can’t comment further on the details, we are dedicated to educating our players and helping them understand the gravity of these incidents.”
Smart acknowledged the difficult circumstances, adding, “It’s a tough situation, but we have to be responsible in our decision-making, both on and off the field. Our focus is on ensuring our players make better choices.”
Young, a native of Binghamton, New York, was arrested and booked at 4:18 a.m. Tuesday at the Athens-Clarke County Detention Center. He was released later that day on a $3,800 bond. Young’s arrest marks the eighth time a Georgia football player has been arrested in 2024, although in three previous cases—Trevor Etienne, Smael Mondon, and Sacovie White—the charges were either reduced or dismissed.
A transfer from the University of Miami, Young joined Georgia in December and had been an important contributor to the Bulldogs’ offense, registering 11 receptions for 149 yards and two touchdowns across the team’s first five games of the season. He notably caught three passes for 51 yards in Georgia’s recent 31-13 win over Auburn.
According to the Athens-Clarke County Police report obtained by ESPN, the incident that led to Young’s arrest involved a 20-year-old woman who identified herself as his ex-girlfriend. She reported to police that she visited Young’s apartment late Monday night to discuss their relationship. Tensions escalated when the woman discovered Young was on the phone with another woman. The report states that Young allegedly “grabbed her arm” and forcefully removed her from his room. The woman also claimed that, after she began collecting her belongings, Young came up behind her, lifted her, and squeezed her torso and abdomen, leading her to believe he intended to harm her.
The responding officer noted visible bruising and discoloration on the woman’s body and transported her to a local hospital for treatment. When questioned by police, Young denied causing the woman’s injuries, stating that he had only escorted her to the front door when their argument intensified.
Young’s attorney, Kim Stephens, responded to the allegations, stating, “Colbie Young was arrested after asking his ex-girlfriend to leave his apartment. He did not engage in any physical contact that could be considered a crime. We expect full exoneration once the investigation is complete.”
This arrest is the latest in a series of legal issues facing Georgia players this year. Coach Smart addressed the broader concerns during Tuesday’s press conference, expressing frustration over the string of incidents but taking responsibility as a leader. “When you have 130 young men under your care, issues will arise,” Smart said. “It’s not going to be perfect, but we know we must do better. It’s hard on the staff because these are good kids, working hard every day in practice. They just need to make better decisions off the field, and I take full responsibility for that. It’s part of leadership.”
Smart highlighted that the team remains committed to addressing these challenges, stressing the importance of personal accountability. “You’re judged by the actions of the people you lead,” he said. “We’re always looking for better ways to make an impact, and that’s our constant goal.”
This latest arrest follows the dismissal of another Georgia player, wide receiver Rodarius “Rara” Thomas, earlier this year. Thomas was removed from the team in August after being charged with multiple family violence offenses, including cruelty to children and battery-family violence. Coach Smart reiterated at the time that Thomas would no longer be part of the program.
As the legal process unfolds for Young, his future with the team remains uncertain. For now, his indefinite suspension marks another difficult chapter in a year where the Bulldogs have been forced to confront off-field controversies alongside their on-field success.
