Georgia football player Nyier Daniels accused of cruelty to children and fleeing police at over 100mph

A highly recruited member of the University of Georgia football team allegedly fled police at more than 100mph before later turning himself in on a number of charges, including cruelty to children. 

Now backup Bulldogs offensive lineman Nyier Daniels is facing two felony counts of second-degree cruelty to children and a felony count of fleeing or attempting to elude a police officer. The 6ft 8in, 345-pound Daniels is additionally charged with 10 traffic-related misdemeanors, such as reckless driving. 

'We are aware of the charges and are currently in the process of gathering additional information,' UGA spokesperson Steven Drummond said in a statement. 'This is a pending legal matter, and we will not have further comment at this time.'

The Newark, New Jersey native remains at the Jackson County Jail in Jefferson, Georgia, according to officials.

As Commerce (Georgia) Police Chief Jeff Drossman told WSBTV.com, Daniels’ mother was also arrested for allegedly running a stop sigh at more than 100 mph in a 25mph zone and attempting to impede officers as they tried to pursue her son’s vehicle. Her name has not been released. 

Police ultimately lost Daniels on I-85 before deciding to stop their chase. Daniels was later brought to the police station by one of his coaches to turn himself in, according to WSBTV.com. 

Daily Mail has reached out to Commerce Police for further information. 

Commerce Police say they initially stopped Daniels’ mother for speeding through the stop sign, but allowed her to leave when they caught the redshirt freshman football player blazing by at more than 100mph.

Daniels’ mother unsuccessfully attempted to block officers’ path with her vehicle, according to police, who say they finally placed her under arrest after abandoning their pursuit of her son.

The unidentified mother is charged with speeding, two counts of running a stop sign, obstruction, fleeing, failure to maintain lane, and reckless driving.

Coach Kirby Smart’s team has been involved in a number of traffic-related incidents in recent years, including a 2023 crash that killed offensive lineman Devin Willock and recruiting staffer Chandler LeCroy.

This year, Smart banned wideout Nitro Tuggle and freshman offensive lineman Marquis Easley over separate traffic-related incidents. Both have since transferred to Purdue.