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Two Georgia players enter transfer portal following suspensions, per report
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Two Georgia football players who were suspended indefinitely from team activities less than a month ago have decided to enter the spring transfer portal.
Offensive lineman Marques Easley and wide receiver Nitro Tuggle told Dawgs247 on Thursday morning of their plans to enter the portal. The spring portal period opened on Wednesday, and the 2 troubled Bulldogs players who were disciplined in March for separate incidents involving reckless driving wasted little time in deciding to leave Athens and go elsewhere for the 2025 season.
According to Dawgs247, Tuggle considered transferring away from Georgia this winter but ultimately elected to remain in Athens. Following a driving-related arrest and a suspension in the spring, he has altered course. Athens-Clarke County Jail records showed last month that Tuggle was arrested on misdemeanor charges of speeding and reckless driving. He was released after posting bond.
The Athens Banner-Herald reported last month that Easley was also involved in a vehicle crash.
Shortly thereafter, Bulldogs head coach Kirby Smart disciplined both players by suspending them indefinitely. Smart’s powerhouse program has been brilliant on the field in recent years but has struggled with players getting into trouble when behind the wheel.
A crash killed a player and a recruiting staffer in January 2023, shortly after the Bulldogs celebrated their second straight national championship. Offensive lineman Devin Willock and recruiting staffer Chandler LeCroy were killed in the car crash that occurred while LeCroy and defensive tackle Jalen Carter were racing.
Also, running back Trevor Etienne missed last season’s season opener against Clemson and cornerback Daniel Harris was held out of a game last season following driving-related arrests.
Cory Nightingale, a former sportswriter and sports editor at the Miami Herald and Palm Beach Post, is a South Florida-based freelance writer who covers Alabama for SaturdayDownSouth.com.
