Justin Williams has spent two years waiting for his turn at Georgia, and 2026 looks like the season when that patience finally pays off.
The Bulldogs are moving on from C.J. Allen, who started 30 games over three years and gave the middle of the defense its edge and heartbeat. That departure leaves room for others to step forward, with senior Raylen Wilson projected to return as Georgia’s starting “money” backer and junior Chris Cole bringing a versatile presence that could make him one of the team’s most important defenders.
But the linebacker who appears poised for the biggest leap in playing time is Williams.
“I’m very excited,” Williams said Monday. “Been waiting a long time.
That comes with Coach [Kirby] Smart being able to trust in me. Without that trust, I wouldn't be here where I'm at… Hopefully I can just go prove to him that he made the right decision.”
A 2024 five-star prospect and the No. 1 linebacker in his class, Williams arrived in Athens with the kind of profile that usually comes with instant expectations. At 6-foot-2 and 220 pounds, he has the frame and athleticism to close fast, blitz with violence and finish plays in space. Georgia has long built a reputation on elite off-ball linebackers, and Williams has the tools to keep that line moving.
He’s already flashed against the run. On 87 run defense snaps last season, Williams made 16 tackles and posted the best stop rate on the team at 18.4 percent.
Still, his path has been slower than some of his 2024 classmates. Cole, safety K.J.
Bolden, outside linebacker Quintavius Johnson and cornerbacks Ellis Robinson IV and Demello Jones all found meaningful roles last season. Williams, meanwhile, had to wait.
As a sophomore, he played in all 14 games as a reserve and finished with 36 tackles, four tackles for loss and one pass breakup. Now the door is open for more.
“He's going to get more opportunities to play [this year],” Smart said. “He needs to play well, tackle well. He plays fast, he plays physical, but his biggest thing has been maintaining his weight, being able to keep his weight on him.”
The energy Williams brings has never been in question. Smart remembered a junior day visit when Williams was still a recruit and immediately stood out.
“Every competition we had, he was in the front of the line,” Smart said. “He was smiling, laughing, meeting other recruits. Just felt like a ball of energy.”
That same vibe shows up on the field, according to Smart.
“He plays really hard, plays with a lot of passion and energy,” Smart said. “He leads that way. There's not something that we do as a team that he's not right at the front of the line.”
Smart said Williams and Cole share “kind of the same personality,” and the two linebackers have grown close over their two years together in Athens. Cole also pointed to Williams as one of the most vocal players on the team this summer.
“He's always hyped,” Cole said of Williams. “No matter if it's 5:00 in the morning or 10:00 at night, he's always hyped and excited to go.”
Williams said he has learned how to manage that motor better as he’s grown more comfortable in the program. The speed of the college game took some adjustment, and practice can only do so much to prepare a player for Saturday. But after two years, he says the game feels slower and his confidence is growing right along with his role.
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