NFL Draft Prospect Alec Ogletree Reportedly Charged with DUI

Alec Ogletree’s first-round NFL draft stock may have just taken a major hit.

Last week, Ogletree was reportedly arrested for DUI in Arizona, according to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk.

This isn’t the first off-field incident in Ogletree’s history, either. The former star Georgia Bulldogs linebacker was suspended for four games to begin the 2012 season due to an undisclosed violation of team rules.

Ogletree was believed to have tested positive on a drug test, resulting in the suspension, but the team never released an official reason for the suspension.

The biggest question for teams moving forward is how to weigh the risk versus reward when evaluating Ogletree. Lapses of judgment can certainly happen to anyone—no one is perfect. However, repeated demonstrations of poor decision-making are a red flag for NFL teams.

Last season, teams shied away from selecting cornerback Janoris Jenkins due to character concerns stemming from multiple transgressions resulting in his expulsion from the Florida Gators football team.

The St. Louis Rams carefully evaluated him and pulled the trigger by selecting him at the top of the second round. It panned out, at least so far.

At the end of the day, everyone makes mistakes at some point to some degree. Young men and women are not infallible. Teams need to do their homework and get to know Ogletree over the coming months to help get a better understanding of him as an individual, not just a football player.

This is a situation to monitor with the NFL draft rapidly approaching. April is right around the corner, and Ogletree’s arrest could definitely shake up some draft boards and projections in the coming weeks.