College football player faces cruelty to children, battery charges in new arrest, jail records show

ATLANTA (WANF/Gray News) - A college football player was arrested on charges of cruelty to children and battery on Friday.

University of Georgia wide receiver Rodarius “Rara” Thomas was suspended indefinitely following his arrest.

Thomas faces charges of second-degree cruelty to children and two counts of battery. No bond has been set, according to jail records. The circumstances of the arrest are currently unknown.

In a statement, the Athens-Clarke County Police Department said officers were called to the 300 block of Mill Creek Way at around 1:30 a.m. The police report will not be released, as the investigation involves a juvenile victim.

Thomas was also arrested in January 2023, the same semester he transferred to Georgia from Mississippi State, on charges of false imprisonment and family violence that have since been dropped.

Thomas’ latest arrest follows a string of other University of Georgia football players who have been booked in jail in recent years, primarily for speeding or reckless driving. At the Southeastern Conference media days on July 16, Georgia football coach Kirby Smart said several players have been suspended or fined.

“The incidents that have been happening off the field are not something we condone,” he said. “It’s very unfortunate. Disappointing, I guess, is the best word.”

Smart said players have been suspended and fined through the collective that provides name, image and likeness payments to the school’s athletes. Smart’s policy is to not make public announcements when players are suspended. A team official confirmed the suspension of Thomas.

University of Georgia executive associate athletic director for strategic communications Steven Drummond said in a statement provided to The Associated Press that “this is a pending legal matter. We will have no further comment at this point.”

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