UGA’s Thomas dismissed from group after arrest

• Mark Schlabach, ESPN Senior WriterAug 1, 2024, 12:11 PM ET

  Close

  • Senior college football author
  • Author of 7 books on college football
  • Graduate of the University of Georgia

Georgia pass receiver Rodarius “Rara” Thomas, who was apprehended recently on several family violence charges, has actually been dismissed from the group, Bulldogs coach Kirby Smart announced Thursday.Smart, speaking

to reporters at a news conference in Athens, Georgia, stated he met Thomas after he was released from jail on bond Tuesday.

“He can no longer be part of the football team,” Smart stated. “He comprehends that. We wish him the best moving on.”

Thomas, a senior from Eufaula, Alabama, was charged with ruthlessness to children-family violence, a second-degree felony, and two misdemeanor counts of battery-family violence. He previously had been suspended from the group forever, in accordance with university policy after an individual is charged with a felony.Editor’s Picks

2 Related Thomas was released on$3,500 bond.”I am happy that bond could

be set and Mr. Thomas released while we totally investigate the case, “Thomas’ attorney, Kim Stephens, stated in a declaration on Tuesday.”We expect that this matter can be dealt with quickly and relatively as soon as all realities are understood.”Thomas was anticipated to be an important part of Georgia’s death game this season after star tight end Brock Bowers and wide receiver Ladd McConkey left for the NFL.He is the 2nd Georgia player dismissed from the team this offseason. Senior security David Daniel-Sisavanh was dismissed for what the program called an offense of group rules. In February, he was charged with negligent driving after leading Atlanta authorities on a pursuit while making numerous lane changes at high speed without utilizing a turn signal.The Athens Banner-Herald reported on July 26 that Thomas had been come by Athens-Clarke County police 3 times for speeding this offseason, including an event on Might 13 in which he was supposedly driving 73 miles per hour in a 40-mph zone on Barnett Shoals Road.That is the very same road in which a Jeep being driven by previous Georgia defensive deal with Jalen Carter was presumably racing an SUV driven by hiring analyst Chandler LeCroy on Jan. 15, 2023. The SUV being driven by LeCroy left the street, and LeCroy and Bulldogs offensive lineman Devin Willock were eliminated in the crash.According to the report, cops also stopped Thomas’Mustang Mach E on July 11, after he was presumably driving 86 miles per hour in a 65-mph zone.It was Thomas ‘second arrest on family violence charges because moving to Georgia from Mississippi State in 2023. In January 2023, Thomas was jailed by University of Georgia authorities and implicated of felony false imprisonment because he

allegedly restricted and detained an individual”without legal authority by standing in front of the dorm room door, blocking the exit,

informing her she can not leave,” according to an arrest warrant obtained by ESPN at the time.Thomas was likewise accused of misdemeanor battery since he presumably “did deliberately cause noticeable bodily harm [by] causing bruising to the best biceps and bruising and abrasion to her shins.” Those criminal charges were come by Athens-Clarke County District Attorney Deborah Gonzalez on March 8 after Thomas effectively completed a pretrial diversion program.Thomas started 8 games for the Bulldogs last season, capturing 23 passes for 383 backyards with one touchdown. He was sidelined for 3 games with a broken foot.