Former Auburn Tigers EDGE Amaris Williams was highlighted by CBS Sports analyst Brandon Marcello in a bold projection for his new squad, the Georgia Bulldogs, ahead of the 2026 season: Georgia is expected to field its most dominant pass rush since its historic 2021 championship run.
Marcello pointed out that while Georgia remains a consistent national contender, it has come up short of another title game appearance largely due to an uneven pass rush. That issue bottomed out last season with just 20 sacks, extending a three-year decline since the dominant 2021 campaign. However, with eight defensive starters returning and key additions like Williams strengthening the edge, Marcello believes the Bulldogs will boast their best pass rush in five years. He also projects a deeper College Football Playoff run though one that comes after a loss in the SEC Championship Game.
That 2021 defense, coordinated by Dan Lanning, produced 14 NFL Draft picks across the 2022 and 2023 classes. Replicating even part of that disruption would firmly put Georgia back in the CFP spotlight and position them for a serious title push assuming quarterback Gunner Stockton delivers offensively.
As for Williams, he doesn’t need to headline the draft class to make an impact. He’s flashed promise but remains a work in progress, even drawing criticism from head coach Kirby Smart after being beaten on a run play in practice. Still, there’s ample time before the season, and Georgia’s staff particularly Smart and defensive line coach Tray Scott has a strong track record of developing elite trench players. Williams is expected to surpass his Auburn production (16 tackles, four tackles for loss) in Athens.
Importantly, he won’t have to carry the defense alone. Linebacker Raylen Wilson and defensive tackles Elijah Griffin and Jordan Hall should command plenty of attention. Meanwhile, fellow EDGE Gabe Harris missing spring reps could impact early chemistry, but it also opens the door for Williams to emerge as a key presence off the edge with a strong preseason. When both are available, they could form a dangerous tandem.
Ultimately, Williams steps into a situation at Georgia with far higher team expectations than he had at Auburn. Even without eye-popping stats, contributing to a dominant defense in Athens could elevate his NFL Draft stock making the move a worthwhile trade-off.
