Former Auburn Tigers EDGE Amaris Williams was specifically named by CBS Sports' Brandon Marcello in a massive prediction for his new team, the Georgia Bulldogs, during the 2026 College Football season: the Dawgs will have a better pass rush than they've had since the historic championship 2021 season.
Per Marcello, "Georgia is a perennial contender but has fallen short of the national championship game after winning back-to-back SEC titles, primarily because of its inconsistent pass rush. Kirby Smart's crew was at its pass-rushing worst last season (20 sacks), continuing a three-year downward trend since that incredible, stat-busting season in 2021. That changes this year with eight starters returning on defense and transfers, including Auburn's Amaris Williams, helping the edge. The result? The best pass-rushing team at Georgia in half a decade and a deeper run in the College Football Playoff -- but only after losing in the SEC Championship Game."
14 players were drafted from that 2021 team that had Dan Lanning as the defensive coordinator in the 2022 and 2023 drafts. Coming close to the disruption that team featured would put UGA squarely in the CFP picture and, as Marcello said, making a deep run. Assuming Bulldogs quarterback Gunner Stockton could do his part, that is.
Amaris Williams doesn't have to be highest player drafted in UGA's bunch
So far, Williams is showing potential, but also still flashing flaws. He was put on blast by Kirby Smart for being beaten badly by tight end Elyiss Williams on a run play, and reporters caught the practice moment.
With that said, there's a long way until the fall. Kirby Smart and Tray Scott have been producing elite talent in the trenches since they came onto the scene a decade ago. Williams should exceed his 16 tackles and four TFLs in Athens.
He doesn't even need to be the star of the show, either. Green dot linebacker Raylen Wilson and defensive tackles Elijah Griffin and Jordan Hall figure to garner plenty of attention themselves. Meanwhile, fellow EDGE Gabe Harris's missing spring practice will disrupt chemistry on a team level, but Williams could become the defensive focus on the edge with a strong preseason. When they're both on the field, both could, and should, eat.
Williams's expectations on a team level are infinitely higher than they would've been had he stayed on the Plains. He could be part of something great, without putting up monster stats, and get noticed by NFL scouts more easily now with UGA. Probably not a bad trade-off if we're being real.
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