Kirby Smart makes first public comments on Colbie Young's status following his arrest

ATHENS – Georgia head coach Kirby Smart provided an update on wide receiver Colbie Young, who was arrested Tuesday morning on charges of assault and battery on an unborn child.

“I know you guys want to know about Colbie and ask about it, but it's a pending legal matter and I don't have any answers right now and haven't even had a chance to talk to him yet,” Smart said.

He was booked at 4:18 a.m. and released at 1:36 p.m. after posting bond. Smart added that Young was not with the team Tuesday afternoon.

Young transferred from Miami to Georgia this offseason. Through the first five games of the season, Young caught 11 passes for 149 yards and 2 touchdowns. He led Georgia in receptions against Auburn last week, catching three passes for a team-high 51 yards.

This is the seventh member of Georgia's football team to be arrested since March. Trevor Etienne, Sacovie White, Smael Mondon, Bo Hughley and Daniel Harris all had something to do with driving. Etienne and Harris both missed a game after their arrest.

Georgia has dismissed wide receiver Rara Thomas from the program after he was arrested on multiple family violence charges. This was the second time in his tenure in Georgia that Thomas was arrested on family violence charges.

Of the seven arrests this offseason, three came at the wide receiver position. Three also came via players who came to Georgia through the transfer portal: Thomas, Etienne and now Young.

“We’re just looking for guys that fit our culture,” Smart said of why Georgia added Young after a win over Tennessee Tech. “You know, it wasn’t like it was cookie cutter. We want great things, we want good things, and we want good people for our culture, and that's him. He was very clear about why he wanted to come and I think he fits our culture and it was a good fit rather than just looking for a certain type.”

Should Young miss time, expect Dillon Bell to see more time as Georgia's X-receiver. The Bulldogs rotate their receivers frequently, but Georgia doesn't have a ready-made replacement for what Young brings to Georgia's offense.

Georgia faces Mississippi State this Saturday. The game is scheduled to begin at 4:15 p.m. ET. The SEC Network will broadcast the game. Georgia will release an availability report Wednesday night that will give a better idea of ​​who might be available for Saturday's game.

Kirby Smart makes his first comments on Colbie Young