Georgia sophomore wide receiver Nitro Tuggle was arrested overnight for speeding (maximum limits) and reckless driving per the Athens Clarke County Online jail report. Per the report, Tuggle was arrested at 1:56 a.m. ET and was released at 2:55 a.m. this morning after posting $26 in bond.
Last year saw several Georgia players arrested on driving-related charges. In September, defensive back Daniel Harris was arrested by Athens-Clarke County Police on misdemeanor driving charges that included reckless driving, affixing materials that reduce the visibility of windows/windshield, no proof of insurance, operations of an unregistered vehicle without a current license plate/revalidation decal, and use of safety belts. Running back Trevor Etienne, offensive tackle Bo Hughley, wide receiver Sacovie White, and inside linebacker Smael Mondon were all arrested last year in separate incidents that resulted in charges that included reckless driving. Etienne served a one-game suspension for his arrest.
After catching two passes for 25 yards on only eight snaps in the win over Tennessee, freshman Nitro Tuggle showed promising signs for his future in Georgia’s offense. Tuggle recently reflected on his first season at Georgia and his decision to stay put after initially announcing plans to enter the transfer portal. He explained his first year has been all about getting better on a daily basis and waiting for his chance to shine. As for his change of heart in terms of transferring, he pointed to the upcoming opportunity as a major motivating factor.
“I’m very excited because it’s a family here. And I love the coaches and how they believe in me and stuff like that. So that’s one of the reasons why I didn’t leave,” Tuggle said in January. “And, you know, the opportunity here. It’s a great opportunity for me to play and continue my name and my legacy here.”
Tuggle played in six games during the regular season as well as the SEC Championship, making three catches for 34 yards this year. Smart discussed Tuggle following the Tennessee game.
“Nitro’s responded well. He’s worked hard. He had a good practice today,” Smart said during the season. “I think he gained some confidence from that because he went against a really good defense and he did some nice things. But, I mean, he goes against a good defense every day in practice, and there’s times that he’s been frustrated. I mean, he would tell you openly that he wants to play. He wants to help. All freshmen want to play.”
Tuggle played a season-high 19 snaps against UMass but did not make a reception. He would play three snaps against Georgia Tech and three snaps against Texas. Tuggle had six snaps in the Tennessee Tech game in which he had a nine-yard reception. Cornerback Daylen Everette spoke highly of Tuggle during the lead up to the UMass game.
“Yeah, Nitro, he’s a real good player,” Everette said. “He really is a fun player to compete against. He probably has one of the best releases. So that also helps me because I know what to look for and try to stay patient. Iron sharpening iron, he’s getting better, I’m getting better. It’s just fun to go against him.”
Tuggle, a Goshen (Ind.) native, was ranked as the nation’s No. 123 overall prospect, No. 24 wide receiver, and No. 3 overall recruit in Indiana coming out of Northwood. He initially chose the Dawgs over Florida, Auburn, Texas A&M, and 26 other offers, with Georgia fending off late pushes by LSU, Michigan, and Notre Dame to keep its top wideout commitment in the fold.
