Justin Williams is starting to look like the kind of linebacker Georgia can unleash and trust.
Against Arkansas on Saturday, the junior delivered the kind of play that can change the tone of a drive in a heartbeat. Late in the second quarter, with the Razorbacks facing third-and-12, Williams saw his opening. Gabe Harris occupied Arkansas’ tight end and left tackle, Elijah Griffin held up the left guard, and that cleared a path straight into the backfield.
Williams exploded through the lane, swung his body as he wrapped up quarterback AJ Hill, and dragged him down for a 7-yard loss. The sack killed Arkansas’ most promising possession to that point and gave Williams his first career sack.
He finished the game with 4 tackles, 1 sack, 1 tackle for loss, and 1 quarterback hurry.
"I just saw the d-line, you know, struck up front. Everybody did their job and allowed me to get a sack," Williams said.
"It's just a great opportunity. That was my first one ever, so it's a great blessing for sure."
Williams arrived in Athens with plenty of hype as the nation’s No. 1 linebacker in the 2024 class, and his role has grown steadily since then. Now, he’s moving toward becoming a steady difference-maker in Georgia’s defense.
Inside linebacker Terrell Foster said Williams brought energy and a vocal presence when he first got to campus, and over the last two years he has sharpened his game across the board. Kirby Smart also pointed to Williams’ ability to hold his weight and stay healthy.
"He's always been really smart, intelligent. He plays hard, like a leader.
Very positive, upbeat attitude, loves practice every day," Smart said. "I was happy to see him have success, but it doesn't shock me because of the way he works."
Williams is part of a Georgia inside-linebacker group that also includes Raylen Wilson and Chris Cole, and the trio has been productive through three games. Together, they’ve piled up 25 tackles, 7 tackles for loss, and 3.5 sacks.
For Williams, sharing the second level with two other elite linebackers makes the job easier.
"It's great. I mean, it's fun," Williams said.
"It makes my job easier because those guys know what to do, and they all help me when something's going on. So it's very easy to communicate and fly around when you've got those guys right next to you."
His production has been trending up early in his junior season, but Williams isn’t letting the strong start pull him off track. The next test is Oklahoma, and his focus is on keeping that offense under control.
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