When it comes to winning a College Football Playoff game, it’s never just one player-it takes a full team, top to bottom. But every postseason run has its breakout stars, those players who rise to the moment and swing the game with a timely play or a dominant performance. As Georgia gears up for its Sugar Bowl quarterfinal clash with Ole Miss, there are a few Bulldogs who are primed to do just that.
Let’s break down three Georgia players who could be game-changers on New Year’s Day.
1. DB JaCorey Thomas - The Versatile Enforcer in the Secondary
JaCorey Thomas may not have started the season as a household name, but he’s finishing it like one. The senior safety has emerged as a key piece in Georgia’s defense, playing that hybrid role that Kirby Smart’s system thrives on-part safety, part linebacker, and all over the field.
His performance in the SEC Championship against Alabama was a statement. Six tackles and a sack don’t just show up on the stat sheet-they reflect a player flying to the football and making things happen. With co-defensive coordinator Glenn Schumann dialing up more pressure packages in recent weeks, especially involving the secondary, Thomas has become a weapon, not just a safety net.
Against a high-tempo Ole Miss offense that thrives on rhythm and spacing, Georgia will need defenders who can read quickly and react even faster. Thomas fits that bill.
Expect him to be heavily involved-whether it’s coming downhill in run support, blitzing off the edge, or dropping into coverage. His ability to do a little bit of everything could be exactly what Georgia needs to disrupt the Rebels’ flow.
2. DL Christen Miller - The Emerging Force Up Front
Every season, there’s a defensive lineman who finds his groove late and becomes a problem for opposing offenses. For Georgia, that guy is Christen Miller.
It took some time for Miller to fully tap into his potential, but once November hit, he started making noise. With 11 total tackles and 1.5 sacks during the final month of the regular season, Miller’s production surged-and so did his presence on the field. Over half of his season tackles came in November, a clear sign that he’s peaking at the right time.
When Ole Miss visited Athens earlier this year, Miller wasn’t quite in rhythm yet. That likely won’t be the case this time around.
With Georgia’s defensive front looking to control the line of scrimmage and collapse the pocket, Miller’s ability to win one-on-one matchups and disrupt the backfield will be crucial. He’s not just a rotational piece anymore-he’s a difference-maker.
3. RB Nate Frazier - The Back with Something to Prove
Nate Frazier already had his shot at Ole Miss earlier this season, and while he got the volume-17 carries, his season high-the production didn’t quite match the workload. Seventy-two yards on that many touches is solid, but it left room for more.
Since then, Frazier has continued to grow into his role and become a more dynamic part of Georgia’s offense. He’s running with more confidence, more vision, and more purpose. And with Ole Miss showing some vulnerability on the ground-surrendering 115 rushing yards to Tulane in the first round-Frazier could be in line for a breakout performance.
Offensive coordinator Mike Bobo will likely want to control the clock and keep the Rebels’ offense on the sideline. That means a heavy dose of the run game, and Frazier is the back best suited to carry that load. Look for him to get a similar number of touches, but this time with a chance to turn those carries into chunk plays and sustained drives.
The Bottom Line
Georgia doesn’t lack talent-it’s about which players step into the spotlight when the lights are brightest. JaCorey Thomas, Christen Miller, and Nate Frazier are all trending upward heading into the Sugar Bowl, and each brings a unique skill set that could tilt the game in Georgia’s favor.
If Thomas continues to be a heat-seeking missile in the secondary, Miller keeps wrecking things up front, and Frazier finds his rhythm on the ground, the Bulldogs could be in for a big New Year’s Day performance.