Former Auburn Tigers defensive end Amaris Williams has high expectations during the 2026 season in Athens, Georgia. At least, Dawn of the Dog's Trevor Michael expects big things from the Clinton High School (NC) product.
Per Michael, "...the hope is that Williams will be able to fix UGA’s pass rush struggles this year. He is a transfer from Auburn who recorded 14 tackles and two sacks last season, and during his time at Auburn he showed a lot of promising signs. Georgia will hope for more production out of him this year, but an increased role in their defense should be enough for him to excel. Add in the tough coaching from Smart and the sky is the limit for Williams in Athens."
ESPN's Max Olson believes Williams has the chance to be "one of the breakout stars of this portal cycle if he can put it all together in Athens," listing Williams as the No. 4 addition in his best college football transfer portal rankings.
"The No. 88 overall recruit in the 2024 ESPN 300 played just 310 snaps over his two seasons in a rotational role at Auburn and hasn't been as productive as the other edge players available in the portal with 20 career tackles, 12 pressures, 7.5 TFLs and 2.5 sacks. But Williams has flashed the potential to become an explosive pass rusher while playing behind projected first-round pickKeldric Faulk. Now it's time to prove he can become a reliable full-time starter and a difference-maker for the Bulldogs," Olson wrote.
Amaris Williams caught up in Hugh Freeze's failed culture
You can't directly blame Hugh Freeze for Williams underperforming on the Plains. It was under DJ Durkin's purview that Williams was a bit underwhelming, but few on that side of the ball shared that trait in 2024 and 2025.
What you can do is blame Freeze's failed culture that had some of the most highly-recruited and highly-paid players on the roster underperforming. Accountability was sorely lacking under the last head coach, and a talent like Williams wasn't pushed to earn his salary.
Kirby Smart isn't going to do that. He famously put Williams on the spot this past week and was caught on a hot mic talking about how he was beat by Dawgs tight end Elyiss Williams on a play during spring practice.
Williams is in a better place to succeed, sad as it is to say. We'll see what UGA does for his career. Typically the Dawgs unlock new levels in transfers, like they did with ex-Florida Gators running back Trevor Etienne, Missouri Tigers receiver Dominic Lovett, and Clemson Tigers corner Derion Kendrick over the past few years.