Auburn Transfer Predicted to Spark Historic Turnaround for Georgia Football

CBS Sports analyst forecasts Bulldogs will boast best pass rush since 2021 championship season

Apr. 15, 2026 at 1:11am

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A fragmented, cubist-style painting depicting the chaotic action of a college football pass rush, with sharp geometric shapes and planes in bold colors representing the defensive pressure.An abstract illustration captures the intensity and disruption of Georgia's revitalized pass rush, a key to the Bulldogs' hopes of returning to the College Football Playoff.Auburn Today

Former Auburn EDGE Amaris Williams has been singled out by CBS Sports' Brandon Marcello as a key transfer who will help Georgia's defense regain its dominant pass-rushing form from the Bulldogs' 2021 national championship team. Marcello believes Williams and the returning starters on Georgia's defense will propel the team to the College Football Playoff, though they may first have to overcome a loss in the SEC Championship Game.

Why it matters

Georgia's pass rush has declined in recent years after the historic 2021 season, and the Bulldogs have fallen short of returning to the national title game as a result. Rebuilding that disruptive front seven is crucial for Georgia to remain an elite contender, and the addition of Williams from Auburn could be the missing piece.

The details

Williams, who recorded 16 tackles and 4 TFLs at Auburn last season, has already shown flashes of his potential at Georgia, though he's also faced criticism from head coach Kirby Smart for being beaten on a run play in practice. Still, Smart and defensive coordinator Tray Scott have a track record of developing elite talent on the defensive line, and Williams could thrive as part of a deep rotation that also features standouts like linebacker Raylen Wilson and defensive tackles Elijah Griffin and Jordan Hall.

  • Georgia's 2021 national championship team had 14 players drafted in 2022 and 2023.
  • Last season, Georgia's defense recorded only 20 sacks, continuing a three-year decline since the 2021 title run.

The players

Amaris Williams

A former EDGE rusher for the Auburn Tigers who has transferred to Georgia, where he is expected to help rebuild the Bulldogs' dominant pass rush.

Brandon Marcello

A CBS Sports analyst who has made a bold prediction that Georgia's defense, led by Williams and other returning starters, will have the best pass rush the team has seen since its 2021 national championship season.

Kirby Smart

The head coach of the Georgia Bulldogs, who has overseen the team's defensive decline since the 2021 title and is tasked with restoring the Bulldogs' pass-rushing prowess.

Tray Scott

The defensive coordinator at Georgia, who has a track record of developing elite talent on the defensive line.

Gunner Stockton

The starting quarterback for the Georgia Bulldogs, who will need to do his part to help the team make a deep run in the College Football Playoff.

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What they’re saying

“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.”

— Brandon Marcello, CBS Sports Analyst

What’s next

Amaris Williams will look to continue his strong preseason and solidify his role as a key part of Georgia's pass-rushing rotation when the Bulldogs open their season on September 2nd against the Clemson Tigers.

The takeaway

The addition of Amaris Williams from Auburn represents a crucial piece in Georgia's efforts to rebuild its dominant pass rush and return to the College Football Playoff after falling short in recent seasons. If Williams and the Bulldogs' defense can recapture the disruptive form of the 2021 championship team, Georgia will be primed for a deep postseason run, even if they stumble in the SEC title game.