Georgia wide receiver Colbie Young has been indefinitely suspended from the team since October 9 following his arrest for assault on an unborn child and battery. Head coach Kirby Smart stated that at the time, as the team prepared to host Mississippi State, that Young’s suspension would remain in effect “until the legal matter is resolved.” A resolution that may occur sooner rather than later.
On Wednesday, 247Sports learned the the alleged victim in the incident that prompted Young’s arrest has recanted her statement to police and is seeking the dismissal of all criminal charges against him.
“Colbie did not place his hands on me in any way during the conversation and argument that was inappropriate or unwanted,” the woman stated in an affidavit. “He did not hit me. He did not push me. He did not cause any bruising or marks on me. He did not injure me in any way.”
According to documents obtained by 247Sports, the woman submitted the request for the charges to be dropped six days after the arrest and has made subsequent requests. Young’s attorney is hoping that Georgia allows Young to return to the team and participate in all activities moving forward.
“We’re committed to continuing to educate our players and do the best job we can of making sure they understand the serious nature of these incidents,” Smart said at the time of Young’s suspension. “It’s very unfortunate, but we want to be responsible in decision making on and off the field. This is obviously a really tough situation, but he’s suspended indefinitely until the legal matter is resolved.”
Even with three games missed, Young is still fourth among wide receivers in receptions and fourth in yards and touchdowns. His 13.5 yards per catch is third among wideouts behind London Humphreys and Arian Smith. Smart noted on Tuesday that Georgia, down Young and Anthony Evans, could use all the help it can get.
“I don’t feel good about our depth at wide receiver or anything because I don’t ever think you have enough to practice the way you need to practice,” Smart said on Tuesday.
Young was arrested by Athens-Clarke County police on misdemeanor charges of battery and assault on an unborn child. The details from the original incident report regarding Young’s arrest can be found here.
Young has played in five games this season. His most productive game to date was the 3-reception, 57-yard outing against Alabama.
“He continues to get better,” Smart said after the Tennessee Tech game in Week 2. “The one last week [against Clemson] was impressive. He continues to grow and get better, and we’re going to need him in our offense. We need him to be able to play even more snaps and be in the best shape of his life to play enough snaps.”
Young came to Georgia this offseason with plenty of experience and the hope of playing a significant role on an SEC contender.
The 6-foot-3, 215-pound Young ended the 2023 season as Miami’s third-leading receiver, and by the end of the regular season, Young had 47 receptions for 563 yards and 5 touchdowns for the Hurricanes. The 2023 season was his second in Miami, as his first year with the Canes saw him reel in 32 passes for 376 yards and 5 touchdowns.
A native of Binghamton, New York, Young began his collegiate career at Lackawanna College in Scranton, Pennsylvania. While there, Young hauled in 24 receptions for 472 yards and 9 touchdowns.
“I had seen Colbie before he even got here, his film from over there at Miami. He’s a good jump-ball guy,” cornerback Julian Humphrey said in March. “He’s been going up top over people, he’s a big guy and he’s going to be a big piece of us for this upcoming season.”
Jordan D. Hill contributed to this report.
