Two Georgia linebackers were arrested on Wednesday for yet another reckless driving charge. Chris Cole and Darren Ikinnagbon were both charged by the Athens-Clarke County Police Department.
Both players were booked on charges of reckless driving and exceeding the maximum speed limit. Additionally, Ikinnagbon was charged with following too closely. All the charges are misdemeanors, but both players were taken into custody and booked late Wednesday night. They each posted bond, Cole for $26 and Ikinnagbon for $39.
Georgia LBs Chris Cole and Darren Ikinnagbon arrested on charges of Reckless Driving and Speeding in Athens…
Details: https://t.co/hbWQs58ZNE pic.twitter.com/uRmqW04u2Z
— On3 (@On3) February 19, 2026
This has been a consistent offseason problem for the Georgia program, as roughly 30 driving incidents involving Georgia football players have occurred in the last three years. Last year three separate players were arrested for driving related incidents: Nitro Tuggle, Marques Easley, and Nyier Daniels. All three players were eventually dismissed from the program.
Kirby Smart has spoken about the issues multiple times with the media. Here’s what he had to say after an incident in 2024 and how Georgia planned to fix the issue.
“I can’t tell you the things that we’ve done that no one in the country has done,” Smart said. “Let’s start with defensive driving, requiring certain incoming guys to take that course which, as far as I know, nobody in the country has done. Discipline, we suspended a player [Marcus Rosemy] for speeding and driving last year, which is rare. Nobody’s ever done that. That hasn’t controlled it and prevented it, so why are we still talking about it? Because we’ve had guys make poor decisions.”
“The [NIL] collective has fined players — substantially,” Smart said. “We’ve dismissed players that have been involved, and I’m talking about like routine traffic, repeated, repeated violations. … I actually think the best key is the pocket because you look at what the NFL has done, their model is defined. And if you asked any of our players what they would rather have, they want their money. When I say substantial — very substantial — in terms of the hits the some guys have taken.”
Kirby Smart addressed Georgia’s reckless driving issue:
“We continue to have guys make poor decisions, you know? It’s very unfortunate.”
More: https://t.co/LeJLhv9Q0p pic.twitter.com/m6dCIgR8hQ
— On3 (@On3) September 17, 2024
Georgia is once again considered to be a preseason top five team heading into the 2026 season. They open their season on September 5 against Tennessee State.
