More Trouble for UGA Football: Linebacker Arrested for DUI

Davin Bellamy

((ht: macon.com))

Safe to say it's not been the quietest offseason in University of Georgia football history.

The Macon Telegraph reports early Saturday morning, backup linebacker Davin Bellamy was pulled over and arrested on DUI and speeding charges by the Athens-Clarke County PD.

Just 4 days ago, the Dawgs had to deal with DL Jonathan Taylor getting arrested and charged with assault. Taylor was dropped from the program the next day.

In Bellamy's case, the charges are technically misdemeanors and whether you call this trivializing things or not, it's something college students do. Quite frequently.

Read the full story on what happened from the Telegraph RIGHT HERE

Per the Telegraph, the school has the ability to make Bellamy sit out for two games. Since this incident just happened (5am Saturday, we're posting this at 8:30a Saturday), the University nor coach Mark Richt have commented or had a chance to review what happened.

Only time will tell what they decide to do.

And yes, this season's camp opens in just a few days. It's this time of year coaches get nervous because they don't technically get to keep close tabs on players. And like we said, so far, the week for the Dawgs can't get much worse.

Star WR Implicated, D-Lineman Dismissed from UGA Football

Jonathan Taylor/UGA DL/Athens-Clarke County Jail

((ht: ajc.com))

The semi-quiet offseason for the Georgia Bulldogs is quiet no more. And the flurry of activity comes but just days before the opening of camp.

There are two stories here:

(Issue #1):

A "5-Star" recruit has been implicated in a dormitory robbery earlier in July. AJC.com reports Darnell Saloman is wanted by UGA Police as a suspect in the robbery at Busbee Hall where 2 female students reported a stolen I-Phone and a wallet with cash and credit cards. They've issued a warrant for his arrest.

Saloman was in Athens for UGA's "Dawg Night" camp.

Saloman's coach in Florida, Mike Tunsil issued a statement saying his rising junior receiver is innocent and that he'll be cleared of charges.

More from ajc.com RIGHT HERE

(Issue #2):

Sophomore nose tackle Jonathan Taylor was dismissed from the Bulldogs football team shortly upon his release from the Athens-Clarke County jail Wednesday afternoon.

Taylor was in jail on aggravated assault/family violence charges after a complaint was registered he had assaulted his girlfriend this past weekend.

Taylor was already on thin ice after being arrested back in March with a couple of teammates on "theft by deception" charges. They were trying to double dip meal reimbursement checks.

More from ajc.com RIGHT HERE

For you SEC types this raises a few questions. Several columnists in the Atlanta area are using this to say Georgia recruits the wrong type of kid. We would argue college football in general, the SEC specifically has the same problem.

It's the age old dilemma.

How do you compete with teams like LSU who forgave Jeremy Hill after rape and assault charges or Auburn who takes Josh Harvey-Clemons after he's dismissed in Athens.

Are there bad kids in College Football? Yes. Are there kids playing who probably shouldn't be? Absolutely.

The price of admission for an elite team is different than it used to be. You have to hope and cross your fingers kids you bring in behave. You know there's a chance they won't. They're college kids, they do stupid things.

That doesn't excuse either of these kids...or anyone else.

But don't preach on one hand the sanctity of good kids while on the other hand saying you can't compete unless you are pulling from the same pool everyone else is.

It doesn't work both ways.

DEVELOPING: This Can't Be Good... 4 UGA Players Arrested On Theft Charges (UPDATED With Richt Reax)

((HT: OnlineAthens.com/Weiszer))

On the heels of releasing Josh Harvey-Clemons for violations of team rules earlier this winter, Weiszer reports that four more have been arrested on "theft by deception" charges.

Defensive back Tray Matthews, defensive lineman Jonathan Taylor and James DeLoach and wide receiver Uriah LeMay are the four. Matthews, according to the article, is facing at least three misdemeanor counts. Taylor and DeLoach are facing two misdemeanor and LeMay four.

Georgia opens spring football practices Tuesday... so, how's that for timing...???

Matthews is from Newnan (GA) High. Taylor and DeLoach are from Jenkins County (GA) High and LeMay is the brother of QB Christian LeMay.

Taylor and DeLoach were being held on bonds totaling $3,000, LeMay on bonds totaling $6,000 and Matthews bonds totaling at least $4,500.

More when we know more...

But just to hold you over, here's some Matthews video during practice from the Athens Banner-Herald


TUESDAY UPDATE: All four practiced with their teammates on Day One of the Spring season...

The four were arrested for, in essence, cashing the same check twice- once through an online picture system and again at a convenience store- the total value of the transactions is a little under $800.

Marc Weiszer explains for the second day in a row...

Matthews, Taylor and DeLoach are alleged to have electronically deposited the checks through a mobile banking app into three different Wells Fargo accounts and then cashed the same paper check at an unknown local convenience store with an account at SunTrust bank, the report said.

LeMay’s roommate, also a UGA athlete, initially cashed four checks electronically and then discarded them. LeMay is alleged to have taken the cash that was trashed and presented it for cash or deposit through a Wells Fargo account.

The investigation on the four players started March 3rd and amounts to both fraud and compliance issues.

Coach Mark Richt addressed the situation as he could after practice...
((HT: WSB-TV))