Georgia starting cornerback Sanders Commings was arrested Saturday morning in Athens on a misdemeanor charge of domestic violence/simple battery.
University police responded to an incident downtown involving Commings, who will be a senior on the 2012 roster, and his girlfriend. Commings had left the scene when police arrived around 1 a.m., and he was arrested shortly after 7.
“Bystanders got involved and separated the parties, and it became apparent that during the separation of them that he struck her in the face,” UGA police chief Jimmy Williamson told the Athens Banner-Herald. “They at some point in time were able to flag down one of our officers. They also had the young woman with them.”
Commings, 21, was booked at the Clarke County Jail at 9:06 a.m., and he was released at 4:49 p.m. after posting bond at $1,000.
The 6-foot-2, 217-pounder from Augusta started all 14 games for the Bulldogs this past season, amassing 55 tackles and an interception. He debated earlier this month whether to leave early for the NFL but decided to stay, giving the Bulldogs the potential of having 10 of 11 defensive starters back.
“I’m aware of the situation and in the process of gathering necessary information,” Georgia coach Mark Richt said in a statement through the university. “However, any time a student-athlete is arrested, it is a matter of serious concern.”
The first known arrest for a Bulldogs player occurred quickly this offseason. There were no such arrests last year during the offseason and none until early October, when starting outside linebacker Cornelius Washington was charged with driving under the influence.