Georgia's "Big Mike" Morris paying it back

Georgia left guard Micah Morris has heard all the ‘old man’ jokes before. But he’s not complaining.

After all, when you’ve been around as long as he has, it’s understandable to receive some good-natured ribbing.

The Camden County native is entering his fifth year with the program. However, for the first time, there’s an even bigger sense of purpose.

Morris is being seen differently, not only as a veteran leader but as a key cog of Georgia’s offensive line.

It’s been a long time coming.

“Yeah. That’s a fair statement,” Morris said. “I mean, all the hard work that I’ve put in throughout the years, obviously from the older guys I’ve spoken on previously, taking me under their wing, just putting it all together for one year, one ride, and just trying to lead the young guys.”

Morris pleases head coach Kirby Smart with that aspect.

During the spring, Smart cited his effort to serve as a role model to fellow offensive line members. According to Morris, he tries to pass lessons learned from playing alongside the veterans before him.

“Because obviously I’ve been here for a while,” he said. “I feel like there’s a lot of advice and tips and just tools that I can feed into the younger guys to make it easier on them as well.”

As the Bulldogs enter their second week of fall practice, Morris appears to be settling in as the starter at left guard.

His message to younger teammates going through it for the first time?

“Just take it day by day, rep by rep, not focusing on the future, not focusing on, hey, I might have messed up previously,” he said. “Just focusing day-by-day because we’re going to be here for a while. So, just we’re going to have film, we’re going to have position meetings, just things like that, just being able to critique the little things and where it’s going to take me.”

Morris knows where he wants the Bulldogs to go this year. He also knows what he wants the Bulldog to do – run the football better than they did in 2024.

He acknowledged Georgia’s rushing production wasn’t what it typically was.

“Me personally, I like hitting people, so yes. As far as what he has been working on, just pretty much taking it day by day, focusing on techniques,” he said. “Other than that, the little things … hand placement, linebacker location, things like that. As an offensive line unit, it’s making sure that it’s five people moving as one, so we’re all on the same page every time.

His “Big Mike” nickname is a deserved one.

At 6-foot-4 and 330, Morris has the size coaches love. He has quite a reputation for his prowess in the weight room.

For example:

Linebacker CJ Allen was asked to identify Georgia’s strongest players. He did not hesitate with his answer.

“Oh, that’s Micah,” Allen said.

Morris smiled when told what Allen had said.

“Oh, I definitely am the strongest, said Morris, who had chances to transfer to other schools before deciding to remain at Georgia.

“This is my home. It is where I committed to. This is where I wanted to be whenever I was a 17-year-old kid. At the end of the day, you start it, you’ve got to finish it. For me personally, I know that I can develop here,” he said. “I might not start every game. But like I said, the knowledge that I gained from the older guys at the time, whenever I was young, now I’m able to pay it back to the younger guys now with me being the older guy. It is the school that I love, and I’m happy it’s here.”