Memphis head coach Ryan Silverfield has drawn attention with a bold remark that highlighted Georgia’s recent off-field troubles. Speaking on how he enforces discipline within his roster, Silverfield used the Bulldogs as an example of what he does not want to see from his players.
The comments have been widely interpreted as a direct shot at Kirby Smart and the program’s handling of player behavior. On an episode of the Ryan Silverfield Radio Show, the Memphis head coach said the following:
“Generally, on a Sunday afternoon when we meet with the team, we do two things. We always start off with not our standard, always start out with a negative. And the not our standard is ‘Georgia wide receiver arrested for driving 900 miles per hour over the speed limit.’ That’s a weekly occurrence. So, that’s one we’ll show.”
NEW: Memphis HC Ryan Silverfield takes shot at Georgia over speeding violations:
“…the not our standard is ‘Georgia wide receiver arrested for driving 900 miles per hour over the speed limit.’ That’s a weekly occurrence.”
(via @TheJonahDylan) https://t.co/RlfMNs8wll pic.twitter.com/PMzFqMTDRL
— On3 (@On3sports) September 16, 2025
Georgia has faced repeated issues with speeding and reckless driving among its players. One recent case involved receiver Nitro Tuggle, who was arrested in March and later entered the transfer portal. These incidents are not isolated, with the program’s name frequently surfacing in police reports over the past two years.
Silverfield’s words carried weight because he linked Georgia’s pattern of violations to broader questions about standards and accountability inside elite programs. The Memphis coach has worked to set clear boundaries within his own team.
He often states that behavior off the field reflects the culture of the locker room. By contrasting Memphis’ internal expectations with Georgia’s repeated run-ins, he underscored how discipline and responsibility can shape a program’s reputation.
While his words might hurt Georgia, the reality is that their off-field problems are well known.
Kirby Smart Addressed Nitro Tuggle’s Arrest
Tuggle is no longer a part of Smart’s program, but at the time of his arrest, he was one of his players. Nearly a month after the incident, he entered the transfer portal and ended up with the Purdue Boilermakers.
When the incident took place and Tuggle was arrested, Smart had to publicly address it and issue a statement. Smart stated that his players have had their “defensive driving courses,” and they’ve been taught how to drive responsibly.
“It’s amazing how many kids come to school without a driver’s license,” Smart said. “It’s no excuse, but one of those things we will continue to educate and discipline our guys to try to correct it.”
The head coach also revealed that they’ve had several speakers come in and educate the players on such issues. He assured people that Georgia takes all necessary steps to ensure that these issues don’t become recurring.
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