Georgia receiver Rara Thomas has been dismissed from the team following his arrest on a felony charge of cruelty to children, coach Kirby Smart announced Thursday. Thomas, who was booked on July 26, was also charged with two misdemeanors.
"I had a chance to sit down and meet with him face-to-face Tuesday, which I think is really important, and let him know that he's no longer going to be part of the football team," Smart said. "He understands that, and we wish him nothing but the best moving forward."
Thomas' arrest was his second in roughly 18 months after he was also charged with false imprisonment, a felony, in January of 2023. Those charges were later dismissed amid a deal between prosecutors and Thomas' attorney. He went on to appear in 11 games for the Bulldogs in 2023, catching 23 passes for 383 yards and a touchdown.
A former three-star prospect out of Eufaula, Alabama, Thomas had 62 catches for 878 yards and 12 touchdowns in two seasons at Mississippi State prior to leaving for Georgia after the 2022 season.
The latest arrest for Thomas put Smart's handling of team discipline under the microscope. The Bulldogs have been plagued by a series of driving issues over the last two years. Smart said during SEC Media Days that UGA's collective is fining players for traffic violations. But the allegations against Thomas, a projected starter, warranted more substantive action, especially since it marked his second time facing significant legal trouble as a member of the program.