Thanks in part to 10 starters returning from a highly-ranked defense in 2011, Georgia is expected to find itself deep inside the Top 10 when 2012 preseason polls are released. Unfortunately, one of the 10 returnees has found himself in a bit of legal hot water.
According to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, cornerback Sanders Commings was arrested by university police overnight and charged with domestic violence and simple battery. Commings was in a relationship, and perhaps living with, the alleged female victim.
Witnesses claimed that Commings had struck the unidentified victim, although details are scant at this point in time.
“The only thing I can tell you is he was arrested for domestic violence/simple battery,” UGA police chief Jimmy Williamson told the Journal-Constitution. “Officers were patrolling the downtown area and were flagged down by people on the side of the road. These were third-party people involved in the incident. Talking with them there was some kind of interaction between [Commings] and a woman and they intervened. At some point in time he struck her. Based on the witness statements and interviews with the involved parties, that’s why he was arrested. We have several witnesses.”
The paper notes that, because it’s a domestic violence charge, Commings may remain jailed through the weekend as he has to appear in front of a judge before being released on bond.
In 2011, Commings started all 14 games for the Bulldogs and has played in all but one game the past three seasons. The corner was one of several draft-eligible Bulldogs who announced last weekend that they were returning to UGA for another season.
“Every man in this room came to Georgia with dreams and goals of winning championships,” Commings said last Saturday. “That is the reason that I decided to stay here at Georgia. With the leadership in this room we realized that the opportunity of achieving those dreams are great and I am excited to be able to be a part of it.”
The school has yet to comment on the incident.