DUI charge another red flag for projected 1st-rounder Alec Ogletree

Former Georgia linebacker Alec Ogletree was arrested and charged with driving under the influence last week. (US Presswire)

Linebacker Alec Ogletree, who led Georgia with 111 tackles despite being suspended for four games, recently was arrested for allegedly driving under the influence, according to his agent.

The projected first-round pick “was pulled over for speeding and a lane violation in Arizona,” agent Pat Dye Jr. told Profootballtalk.com. “After the officers smelled alcohol, they conducted tests and also cited him for DUI. Although Alec regrets this incident terribly, he is thankful that there was no accident and that no one was hurt. Because this matter is still pending, we cannot comment further publicly at this time.”

Ogletree (6-3, 237) announced he'd enter the draft after making a team-high 13 tackles in the win over Nebraska in the Capital One Bowl.

Coach Mark Richt suspended Ogletree for the first four games of 2012 because he failed drug tests during spring practice. Ogletree also was arrested for the theft of a Georgia track athlete's motorcycle helmet in September 2010 and was suspended for his first college game.

“Of course there are some things I wish I could take back," the junior told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution in announcing he was turning pro. "But, you know, overall I feel like I had a great time here at Georgia and I'm going to cherish that ‘til I die."

Defensive coordinator Todd Grantham said Ogletree, who moved from safety to linebacker as a sophomore, could be a “special” inside linebacker in the NFL.

“That's why we moved him there,” Grantham told the paper. “He's a guy who can play tight coverage, he's a good blitzer and he's a special player.”

In 10 games last season, Ogletree had 11.5 tackles for loss, nine quarterback hurries, five pass breakups, three sacks, two fumble recoveries, a forced fumble and an interception.

Before the arrest, CBSSports.com's Rob Rang projected Ogletree going 19th to the Bengals. Fellow analyst Dane Brugler had Ogletree going 26th to the Packers.

It remains to be seen whether the arrest will hurt Ogletree's stock, as he's headed to the NFL Combine this week for athletic testing and multiple interviews.

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