Georgia running back Trevor Etienne is expected to miss Saturday’s season opener against Clemson due to an offseason arrest.
According to a report from Matt Zenitz and Richard Johnson of 247Sports, Etienne is anticipated to be sidelined for the game as a consequence of his arrest earlier this year.
Etienne was arrested on March 24 and faced multiple charges, including DUI, reckless driving, failure to maintain lane, and affixing materials that reduce the visibility of windows or windshields.
As part of a plea agreement reached in July, DUI charges, including DUI less safe and DUI under 21, were dropped. Etienne pleaded no contest to reckless driving and guilty to charges of underage possession of alcohol, failure to maintain lane, and a window tint violation.
The 20-year-old running back received a sentence that includes 12 months of probation, 40 hours of community service, a fine, and a requirement to complete a substance abuse evaluation. He is also subject to random drug and alcohol screenings as part of his probation terms.
Etienne, who is the younger brother of Jacksonville Jaguars running back Travis Etienne, joined Georgia in December after spending the previous two seasons at Florida. During his time with the Gators, he established himself as a dynamic playmaker, amassing 1,710 yards from scrimmage and scoring 15 touchdowns on 279 touches in 24 games since the 2022 season.
The Bulldogs are already facing depth challenges in their backfield, with Roderick Robinson II expected to be unavailable due to a toe injury that required surgery, as reported by ESPN’s Mark Schlabach.
This situation leaves Georgia relying on Branson Robinson and Nate Frazier to handle the majority of the running back duties against Clemson. Branson Robinson is returning to action after missing all of last season with a ruptured patellar tendon, while Frazier, a true freshman, was a highly-touted recruit ranked as the No. 2 running back in the 2024 class according to 247Sports’ composite rankings.
Georgia begins the season ranked No. 1 in the Associated Press Top 25 poll for the second consecutive year. The Bulldogs have compiled an impressive 42-2 record since the start of the 2021 season, solidifying their position as one of college football’s elite programs.
