UGA football news: Former Bulldog Deandre Baker wanted for armed robbery

Former UGA football star and Jim Thorpe Award winner Deandre Baker was recently accused of armed robbery in Florida nightclub.

Deandre Baker had a legendary UGA football career. The cornerback from Miami, Fla. rarely allowed a touchdown, which is why he earned the Jim Thorpe Award and consensus All-American honors as a senior in 2018. The great career earned Baker a first-round selection by the New York Giants in the 2019 NFL Draft.

When Deandre Baker was in the news, it was usually for something positive. That changed Thursday night when the Miramar Police Department confirmed warrants for Baker’s arrest on charges of armed robbery. Former Florida Gators’ cornerback and fellow Miami native Quinton Dunbar is also wanted.

Baker, Dunbar and an unnamed suspect allegedly stole money and valuables at gunpoint from people at a party Wednesday evening. According to a witness, Baker reportedly told the unnamed man to shoot a person arriving at the party.

This incident gives credence to the rumors of Baker having a poor attitude which circulated before the draft. Some NFL teams apparently cited his attitude when flagging him as a risky pick. Baker’s attitude issues never came up while at Georgia, so there were doubts about those rumors, but those doubts are unfortunately gone now.

The New York Giants did not comment on Baker’s arrest Thursday night. Despite losing playing time late in the season, Baker was set to compete for a starting job this coming season.

UGA football head coach Kirby Smart defended Baker’s NFL performance Tuesday. Baker admitted to having trouble understanding the playbook, but Smart said rookie seasons are particularly hard for cornerbacks and he knew Baker would improve. Now, it’s not known if Baker will even have the chance to improve in his second NFL season.