Eagles edge rusher Nolan Smith was arrested May 15

Eagles set to begin OTAs on Tuesday

Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Nolan Smith Jr. speaks with members of the media at the team’s NFL football training camp, Thursday, July 24, 2025, in Philadelphia. (Matt Rourke/AP)

Delaware County Daily Times: https://tinyurl.com/2ufxh3zp

Philadelphia Eagles outside linebacker Nolan Smith was arrested Friday, May 15 in central Georgia on charges of reckless driving and excessive speeding after authorities said he was clocked at 135 mph in a 70-mph zone on Interstate 16 in Twiggs County.

The Georgia Gazette, which tracks criminal cases in the state through public records, was first to report on the arrest, which has been confirmed by multiple outlets.

According to the Twiggs County Sheriff’s Office, Smith was stopped around 10:40 p.m. and later booked into jail before being released on bond.

The arrest comes to light as the Eagles prepare to begin organized team activities on Tuesday.

Eagles edge rusher Nolan Smith’s mugshot from his arrest in Georgia for reckless driving and excessive speeding on May 15, 2026. (Source: Twiggs County Sheriff’s Office)

Smith, 25, whom Philadelphia drafted 30th overall out of the University of Georgia in 2023, will be entering his fourth season with the team. His best year was in 2024, when he logged 42 combined tackles, eight TFLs, 6.5 sacks, 11 QB hits, two passes defended, a forced fumble and two fumble recoveries. He spent much of last season on injured reserve after re-aggravating a triceps injury.

In April, the Eagles picked up his 2027 fifth-year option worth $13.75 million.

Smith’s arrest is the latest in a string of driving-related incidents involving current and former University of Georgia football players, including Eagles defensive tackle Jalen Carter.

Carter pleaded no contest in 2023 to misdemeanor reckless driving and street-racing charges connected to a January 2023 crash that killed Georgia offensive lineman Devin Willock and recruiting staff member Chandler LeCroy, who were in the car that Carter was racing.

In addition to that fatal accident, multiple Bulldogs football players have been arrested or cited for speeding, reckless driving or racing-related offenses, drawing national attention to the program’s driving culture.

This also was not Smith’s first driving-related arrest.

While at Georgia in January 2022, Smith was charged with speeding in a construction zone and driving with a suspended license. According to reports at the time, he was accused of driving 89 mph — 44 mph over the posted limit.