The University of Georgia's football program could be facing another setback as recently transferred running back Trevor Etienne was arrested early Sunday on charges that include drunken driving, which may jeopardize his spot as the new starting RB for the Bulldogs. According to the Athens-Clarke County police, Etienne was observed "driving recklessly" and was subsequently pulled over at approximately 1:50 a.m. near the university campus. The 19-year-old, previously of the Florida Gators, was booked and later released on a bond totaling around $1,800.

If convicted of the DUI charge, following the team policy, Etienne would be suspended for at least one game, as reported by GazetteXtra. In the wake of Etienne's arrest, Georgia's executive associate athletic director for strategic communications, Steven Drummond, released a statement. "We are aware of the charges and are currently in the process of gathering additional information," Drummond said, withholding further comment due to the matter's legal nature, as detailed by FOX 5 Atlanta.

Eager to make strides with his new team, the sophomore led his former squad with nine touchdowns the previous season. Additionally, the player was adapting well to Georgia's system before the incident occurred, according to head coach Kirby Smart. "Getting comfortable in the offense, there are nuances," Smart commented on Etienne's progress, emphasizing the player's swift adjustment to the Bulldogs' playbook, as per FOX 5 Atlanta report.

The DUI arrest puts a damper on Etienne's prospects, who is also the younger brother of Jacksonville Jaguars running back Travis Etienne. Tragic precedents spotlight the gravity of driving infractions within the Georgia football program. Hours after celebrating a national title in January 2023, the team was marred by the fatal crash involving offensive lineman Devin Willock and recruiting staffer Chandler LeCroy. Last year, coach Smart acknowledged the challenges in promoting safe driving habits among his players, with the team experiencing at least 15 traffic stops for excessive speeds, including three DUI instances, as he sought for ways to curtail such behaviors, according to FOX 5 Atlanta.