Will he play or will he be suspended? That's been the burning question about Bulldogs running back Trevor Etienne, who transferred to Georgia this offseason from Florida, and was arrested in March for on charges of drunken driving, failure to maintain a lane or improper driving as well as affixing materials that reduce visibility through the windows or windshield.
The DUI charge was later dropped in a plea deal that was struck in July. As part of the deal, Etienne received 12 months of probation, was fined $852, and was ordered to complete a substance abuse evaluation, 40 hours of community service, and an alcohol risk reduction program.
Since then, the lingering question has been will Etienne be suspended for any of Georgia's games in 2024. ESPN senior college football writer Pete Thamel appeared on College Football Live with his take.
"The headline is that Trevor Etienne is facing a one-game suspension. He got arrested in March on DUI charges. Under Georgia Athletic Department policy, he's expected to miss one game."
But does Etienne's plea agreement nullify the policy that a player must miss 10 percent of the season if found guilty of DUI? It would seem since he was never technically found guilty of a DUI that the policy is not enforceable.
Kirby Smart has been mum on the subject, deferring to looking forward to everyone who will play in the season opener.
"I don't really talk about any of the other stuff in regards to any of our players with suspensions," Smart said. "But I'm excited about all the guys that are gonna get an opportunity to play at back."
Will Trevor Etienne play in Week 1?
UPDATE: 9:15 am, August 31 - Per multiple sources, Trevor Etienne will not play in the Week 1 game against Clemson
Running back Trevor Etienne, who had a DUI charge dismissed earlier this month as part of a plea deal, will miss @GeorgiaFootball’s opener Saturday against Clemson, sources tell me and @Mark_Schlabach. @mzenitz first to report Etienne was not expected to play.
— Chris Low (@ClowESPN) August 31, 2024
Chances are that we'll see Etienne take the field against the Tigers. He may not start, possibly sitting out the first half, but Kirby Smart has to weigh the optics of allowing him to play versus the legality of a suspension given that the DUI charge has been dropped in the plea deal.
The fact that Smart refuses to commit is no more than gamesmanship by the Georgia head coach, but if you're Clemson you're certainly preparing to face the former Gator star.
Georgia is well-stocked with youth at running back if Etienne isn't allowed to play, even with the injury to Roderick Robinson keeping him from being available.
Georgia and Clemson are scheduled for a noon kickoff on August, 31 in Atlanta's Mercedes Benz Stadium.