Richard Dean
Updated on: October 11, 2024 3:27 pm GMT
Georgia football cornerback Daniel Harris was arrested on Thursday night for reckless driving after being clocked at 106 miles per hour, marking the latest incident involving a member of the Bulldogs football team. This arrest comes just two days before the team’s Southeastern Conference opener against Kentucky.
Details of the Arrest
According to a report obtained by the Athens Banner-Herald, Harris was stopped by Athens-Clarke County police at approximately 8:03 p.m. while on the Georgia 10 loop at College Station Road. Driving a 2018 Jeep Cherokee, he was exceeding the speed limit of 65 miles per hour by a significant margin, as he passed two vehicles while navigating a wet road during rainy conditions. The speed was recorded using DragonEye Lidar technology.
Harris, a sophomore from Miami, was booked into Clarke County Jail at 10:40 p.m. and subsequently released about an hour later on a $50 bond. In addition to reckless driving, he faces several charges, including no proof of insurance, operating an unregistered vehicle, failing to wear a seatbelt, and illegal window tinting.
Implications for Harris and the Team
The circumstances surrounding Harris’s arrest are particularly concerning for the Georgia football program, which has faced scrutiny for its players’ driving behavior. Since a tragic incident in January 2023 in which offensive lineman Devin Willock and recruiting staffer Chandler LeCroy were killed in a crash linked to street racing—where defensive tackle Jalen Carter was reportedly racing at approximately 104 mph—there has been heightened focus on player safety.
Head coach Kirby Smart has acknowledged the challenges in addressing these issues among his players. “The incidents that have been happening off the field are not something we condone,” he stated earlier this summer, reflecting the team’s commitment to improving players’ conduct behind the wheel.
In recent years, Georgia players have accrued over 30 arrests or citations for various driving-related offenses, including speeding and reckless driving. While the university has not confirmed Harris’s status for the upcoming game, past incidents suggest he could face a suspension alongside possible fines. Coach Smart has previously refrained from disclosing specific disciplinary actions, but he has indicated that punishment is sometimes administered through a system tied to the players’ name, image, and likeness payments.
Harris’s Recent Performance
Before his arrest, Harris had participated in Georgia’s first two games of the 2023 season, recording four tackles as a key backup. With Harris’s potential absence due to his legal troubles, the team may look to five-star freshman Ellis Robinson to step up in the defensive backfield alongside starters Daylen Everette and Julian Humphrey.
Vehicle and Safety Violations
The vehicle driven by Harris not only lacked valid registration—set to expire on March 8, 2024—but also had a temporary tag that expired on August 4, 2024. During the traffic stop, police noted that while the seatbelt in the vehicle was buckled, it was not being used correctly, indicating that it was improperly positioned behind the driver’s seat. Additionally, the driver’s side window tint was recorded at just 4 percent light transmission, well below the legal limit.
Ongoing Concerns
The repeated violations and arrests concerning Georgia football players have raised alarms within the athletic community and among fans. Smart’s emphasis on player safety has become increasingly urgent in the wake of the tragic February accident that left two individuals dead. As the Bulldogs prepare for a pivotal SEC matchup against Kentucky, the implications of Harris’s decision to engage in reckless driving will be closely monitored not only by the coaching staff but also by a concerned fan base.
The recent arrest is a good reminder of the responsibilities that come with being a college athlete, especially in a well-known program. As players like Harris deal with the results of their choices, it’s important to keep talking about how athletes behave and how to stay safe on the roads.
