Ledbetter's future uncertain after second arrest

Bulldog defensive lineman Jonathan Ledbetter's 2016 plying time and future with the team are in doubt following his second alcohol-related arrest in less than six months. The sophomore from Tucker was booked into the Athens-Clarke County jail early this morning on charges of DUI and underage possession of alcohol.

A DUI entails a two game suspension under athletic association policy. But Ledbetter's situation is complicated by the fact that he was charged in March with underage possession of alcohol and attempting to enter a bar using a fake ID. Prosecutors however declined to pursue those charges and they were dismissed. Coach Smart was noncommittal this spring about what that meant from a team disciplinary perspective. But one suspects this latest issue doesn't help Ledbetter's case.

There have been eight player arrests since Smart took over the Bulldog football team. Six of them involved Ledbetter, freshman defensive back Chad Clay, and defensive lineman Chauncey Rivers. Clay and Rivers have already been dismissed from the team. That may not bode well for Ledbetter, either.

And Ledbetter's troubles don't bode well for the Bulldog defensive line either. While he played in only seven games in 2015 and tallied only four tackles, Ledbetter was in line to see significantly more plying time in 2016 as the Bulldogs try to replace four departed seniors from last year's defensive line.

UPDATED: Ledbetter will continue to receive medical treatment, and has been suspended but will not be dismissed.