Rara Thomas, a wide receiver who recently transferred to the national champion Georgia from Mississippi State, was arrested Monday on felony and misdemeanor charges. He was booked at around 4 a.m. under a felony charge of false imprisonment and a misdemeanor count of family violence battery. He was released on a $1,850 bond shortly after noon.
The University of Georgia police arrested Thomas and the Georgia Athletic Department released a statement saying that “the report is disappointing and not reflective of the high standards we have for our student-athletes on and off the field.” This arrest came as a blow to the Georgia team that had just won their second consecutive national championship with a 65-7 rout of TCU on Jan. 9.
Thomas, who hails from Eufaula, Alabama, was one of Mississippi State’s leading receivers this past season, with 44 catches for a team-high 626 yards and seven touchdowns. He announced his transfer to Georgia in December and was expected to be a key member of the Bulldogs’ offense after receiver Kearis Jackson declared for the NFL draft and receiver Adonai Adonai Mitchell entered the transfer portal.
Mitchell, who later committed to Texas, missed much of the 2022 season with a high ankle sprain but returned in time to make the game-winning, 10-yard touchdown catch against Ohio State in the College Football Playoff semifinal. He added a 22-yard touchdown catch against TCU in the national title game.
Thomas’s arrest is a major setback for Georgia, and the consequences it may have are yet to be seen. With the Georgia Athletic Department having high standards for their student-athletes, they may take this into account and take necessary disciplinary action. Thomas had been expected to be a vital part of the Bulldogs’ offense, but the team will now have to find a way to carry on without him.
Despite the arrest of Thomas, the Georgia Bulldogs’ offensive lineup is still looking strong. Thomas’ transfer in December had added to their already impressive offensive arsenal, making them a formidable team going into the 2022 season.
