Florida transfer, Trevor Etienne, who projects to be Georgia’s feature running back in the 2024 season, was arrested on Sunday night in Athens-Clark County on four misdemeanor charges.
Georgia running back Trevor Etienne (1) takes a handoff from Georgia quarterback Carson Beck (15) / Joshua L. Jones / USA TODAY NETWORK
Trevor Etienne, the former Florida running back was the prize of Georgia’s offseason, but now he’s in legal trouble in Athens after an early Sunday morning arrest. The Athens-Clark County Police Department arrested him on charges of DUI, reckless driving, and two other misdemeanors.
He was reportedly booked into Athens-Clark County jail at 4:35 a.m. and bonded within the hour. The official charges were DUI/alcohol/less safe, reckless driving, failure to maintain lane/improper driving on road, and affixing materials that reduce the visibility of windows/windshield.
There are no other details none as of Sunday morning. Etienne could face a team-imposed suspension when Georgia opens its 2024 season against Clemson in Atlanta on August 31.
Georgia has dealt with multiple driving-related arrests over Kirby Smart’s tenure, but the last known arrest was last summer. Maybe most notably, Jalen Carter was arrested on charges of DUI as a part of nine driving-related arrests over a 13-month span for the 2022 Georgia national championship team.
Etienne was Florida’s second-leading rusher last season as a sophomore with 753 yards and eight touchdowns on 131 attempts. He was expected to be Georgia’s feature back and was the most notable incoming transfer this offseason.
Georgia Football is in its second week of spring practice. The Dawgs have only had three practices when Kirby Smart spoke with the media Tuesday afternoon, but they will have their first scrimmage this Saturday.
This is a gentle reminder to check out the blog on Saturday for some news and notes about the scrimmage. This blogger will work to get the inside skinny on what happened during that scrimmage; if I have to stand outside of Sanford Stadium to see the scrimmage, I will! (that is not a threat, Kirby)
Speaking of Kirby Smart, he met with the media on Monday and opened his press conference by saying he is excited about this 2024 version of Georgia Football. Smart said that the overall feeling for this spring was youth. Smart noted that many mid-year players and transfers have made the practices feel that way.
The Dawgs have about 33% of their roster with new faces, whether transfers or incoming freshmen. Smart and his players have echoed the new mantra when meeting with the media: “Get better mindset.” Smart said the team needs that mindset because of its youth and inexperience. Furthermore, Smart does not want to overwhelm the younger and newer guys on the team because there is so much to work on and correct.
Speaking of the new mantra, Smart was asked about the one he dropped off at the Macon Touchdown Club on Monday. Smart said during his speaking engagement with the Macon Touchdown Club, “Assume nothing.” Smart said he did not come up with that; he got some help from Nike founder Phil Knight. Smart said he has been on vacation with Knight and studied their (Nike’s) success.
Smart said to be successful, you have to study successful people and businesses. I would’ve liked to have told you, the fine readers of Dawn of the Dawg, about the meaning of the “Assume Nothing” mantra, but the guy who usually posts Smart’s speeches to the Macon Touchdown Club on YouTube was asked by the Club to take his video down. Which is silly, but whatever. That is a war I will fight offline.
This time of year for football, what some call the offseason, there is always a focus on quarterbacks. Georgia’s quarterback Carson Beck was mentioned in the presser, and Smart’s spring theme applies to Beck. Smart said that Beck’s area of growth is being confident, especially in the Dawgs’ new receivers. However, Smart said that the trust between Beck and receivers must be earned, not given.
The Dawgs have three transfer receivers, and with Bowers, McConkey, and Rosmeary-Jacksaint gone, Beck will have to trust the three new transfer receivers and the receivers still on the roster. Colbie Young is one of those receivers. He was injured early this spring but has been able to practice. London Humphreys is another one of the trio of transfers. He has only played two years of college football. Smart added that Micheal Jackson III has made plays this spring.
The last player of note that was mentioned by Smart was Center Jared Wilson. Smart said he was excited for the world to see him play. Smart added that Wilson is one of the more athletic guys on the team and said he was faster than some of the DBs the Dawgs have.
Look, I already listed Wilson as one of my breakout stars for spring ball, so I have high hopes for him, but I do not think a center can outrun a defensive back. We will have a long season if Wilson outruns a UGA defensive back. But the point is that Wilson will be an impressive player for the Dawgs.
Lastly, Smart was asked about coaches leaving college football or coaching in the pros. I have written much about this topic and will write more soon. College football needs help with its calendar, the N.I.L., and the transfer portal. Smart has also mentioned all of those things.
Smart said there is no crying on his end, but he wants what is best for the players. Smart said that the rules are more in favor of the younger players and not the older ones. Smart added that he would like to see more of a balance.
With one major commitment and one huge defection, the Georgia football program has had a fascinating weekend on the recruiting trail.
Georgia coach Kirby Smart yells during spring practice in Athens, Ga., on Thursday, March 14, 2024. / Joshua L. Jones / USA TODAY NETWORK
Though the focus of Georgia football fans is on spring practices, the recruiting trail is always worth keeping an eye on regardless of where the calendar may sit. This weekend, that was certainly true as the Bulldogs rode a roller coaster on that front.
The Nashville product is rated by the 247Sports.com composite rankings as a 5-star prospect and the No. 9 overall player in his class. He picked the Bulldogs over offers from the likes of Alabama, Florida State, LSU, Miami, Michigan, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Oregon, Tennessee, Texas, and a host of others.
The 6-foot-5, 226-pound dual-threat QB is a true weapon in the pocket. This past season, he completed 180-of-321 passes for 2,522 yards, 25 touchdowns, and nine interceptions. ,
Andrew Ivins, the 247Sports Director of Scouting, has the following scouting report on Curtis.
“A big-armed quarterback prospect with some moxie,” he writes. “Owns a favorable build having measured roughly 6-foot-3, 215 pounds as a 9th grader. Started football career off playing running back before getting a look under center.
“Instantly found success at his new position, earning Mr. Football runner-up honors in Tennessee after a freshman campaign in which he won 10 games and totaled just over 2,750 yards of offense. Not afraid to dial up the deep ball and tends to connect on plenty of vertical shots. Also excels at hitting timing-based breaking routes over the middle.
“Shouldn’t be classified as a true dual-threat talent, but can move the chains with his legs and work off-script when the pocket collapses. Camp footage shows both pace and touch. Must keep developing and learn how to read the complex defenses he will face at the next level, but looks like one of the top signal callers early on in the 2026 cycle. Likely to find success in a variety of different offensive systems given his well-rounded skill set.”
This is the first commit for Smart in the 2026 class. But as big as this development is, it is partially overshadowed by a defection from the 2025 Georgia class.
The 6-foot-5, 275-pounder from Manchester, Georgia pledged his commitment to the Bulldogs back in January of 2023 but now he’s headed to Southern California. Naturally, this is a significant loss for Smart and his defensive coaching staff. defensive
Terry is rated by the 247Sports composite rankings as the No. 8 overall player and No. 2 overall defensive tackle in the nation. Now, Smart must find a way to fortify his current recruiting class with more beef along the defensive line.
The current 2025 class for Georgia has five players in the mix and is rated the No. 15 class in the nation. Fortunately, it does contain 6-foot-3, 355-pound Stephon Shivers, a 3-star defensive tackle from Tennessee. However, with Terry now apparently headed to play for Lincoln Riley, Smart will certainly be on the lookout for more talent to add along the defensive line.