Georgia's Samuel M'Pemba becomes latest player cited for speeding

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Yet another University of Georgia football player is in trouble for speeding. 

Incoming freshman linebacker Samuel M’Pemba was cited Wednesday morning for allegedly going 88 miles per hour in a 55 mph zone, the Athens Banner-Herald reported.

According to the outlet, M’Pemba was driving a 2020 Dodge Durango on Thursday and was pulled over after being clocked over the speed limit at 10:31 a.m.

M’Pemba’s traffic incident is just the latest in a series of speeding-related episodes for the Bulldogs. 

In January, offensive lineman Devin Willock and team staffer Chandler LeCroy were killed in a car crash after the team’s national championship victory over TCU. 

Authorities found that LeCroy was driving over 100 miles per hour when the car hit a power pole.

Defensive lineman Jalen Carter, who was picked with the No. 9 pick by the Philadelphia Eagles in the 2023 NFL Draft, was accused of racing LeCroy’s car before the crash and charged with reckless driving.

In the past year, wide receiver De’Nylon Morrissette and safety Javon Bullard were both arrested for driving under the influence. 

On the same day of M’Pemba’s trouble behind the wheel, wide receiver Marcus Rosemy-Jacksaint entered a guilty plea for a speeding charge of his own on May 23. 

After his hearing, Rosemy-Jacksaint apologized in a statement, according to the Banner-Herald.

“I would like to apologize to the citizens of Athens-Clarke County for my behavior on May 23, 2023,” he said. “I realize that I put you in danger and that there is no excuse for driving as fast as I was. The choice to drive at that speed was mine alone, but I also realize as a member of the UGA football team, my choices can have a negative effect on my team.

“For that, I also apologize to the University of Georgia, my teammates, and the Bulldog Nation. I accept my punishment and will do better moving forward.”

Last month, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported that Georgia players have been charged with nearly 300 traffic offenses since head coach Kirby Smart took the job in 2015. 

ESPN reported in June that Bulldog players have been involved in at least 10 traffic-related violations since the January incident. 

“The Athletic Association recognizes the severity of reckless driving and is actively addressing recent incidents with educational measures, mentorship, and when necessary, punitive action,” the university’s athletic department wrote in a statement to ESPN in June. “Baseless reports that suggest we tolerate this behavior are categorically false.

“Our coaches and administrators are deeply disappointed by the persistence of reckless driving and other misbehavior.”

M’Pemba committed to Georgia in December and enrolled in January. 

He played high school football at IMG Academy in Florida.

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