The Georgia Bulldogs are locked in on their next challenge: a Sugar Bowl showdown with Ole Miss on New Year’s Day in the College Football Playoff quarterfinals. And while the Dawgs are deep, physical, and battle-tested, there’s one name they’re hoping to have in the lineup - outside linebacker Gabe Harris Jr.
Head coach Kirby Smart made it clear this week that Harris’ availability is still up in the air as he deals with a nagging turf toe injury. But make no mistake, if Harris is able to suit up, he could be a difference-maker against the Rebels.
“Gabe is a wrecker,” Smart said. “He’s been a force with our defense.
He’s one of those guys that doesn’t question things. He competes and gets better.
Really proud of how he’s helped our defense.”
That’s high praise, and it’s earned. Harris has been a key piece of Georgia’s defense all season, appearing in all 13 games and posting 26 tackles, including 6.5 for loss, and a sack.
He’s not just filling a role - he’s helping set the tone. His ability to disrupt plays in the backfield and apply pressure off the edge has been a valuable asset for a defense that prides itself on speed, physicality, and discipline.
Across his three seasons in Athens, Harris has totaled 49 tackles, 25 of them solo, with 3 sacks and 3 forced fumbles. Those numbers don’t just tell the story of a rotational player - they reflect a guy who’s carved out a meaningful role in one of the most competitive defenses in college football.
If Harris isn’t able to go, Georgia’s depth will be tested - but they’re built for that. Expect Joseph-Jonah Ajonye to step into a larger role, with Quintavius Johnson and Elo Modozie also likely to rotate in at the position. All three have seen time this season and know what’s expected in Georgia’s system.
The Bulldogs come into this CFP matchup riding the momentum of a 12-1 season and an SEC championship, which earned them the No. 3 overall seed in the playoff bracket. Their defense has been a big part of that success, and whether Harris is on the field or not, that unit will need to be at its best to slow down an Ole Miss offense that can move the ball in a hurry.
Still, having Harris on the edge would be a major boost - not just for the pass rush, but for the energy and physical presence he brings every snap. Georgia knows what’s at stake, and they’re hoping one of their most disruptive defenders will be ready when the lights come on in New Orleans.