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How has Georgia LB Justin Williams grown the most in year two?

Jeremy Johnsonby: Jeremy Johnson08/20/25JeremyO_Johnson
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Georgia outside linebacker Justin Williams (19) during Georgia’s practice session in Athens, Ga., on Tuesday, March 25, 2025. (Tony Walsh/UGAAA)

Georgia sophomore linebacker Justin Williams’ role could be bigger than the one he played in 2024 as a freshman.

As it turns out, he is as well. The former five-star checked a lot of boxes for Georgia culturally as a recruit. Williams’ attitude and love of the sport have quickly grabbed the attention of head coach Kirby Smart.

“He came in very intelligent mentally, very instinctive, very bright-eyed, and loves football,” Smart told reporters on Tuesday. “He’s got every part of the fire passion energy we want.”

Smart acknowledges that Williams probably understands Georgia’s scheme a lot better. The biggest change between year one and year two has been Williams’ physical growth.

He signed with Georgia at around 215 pounds. Georgia lists Williams at 225 pounds on its 2025 roster.

“He’s gotten a little heavier, came in a little bit lighter,” Smart said. “He’s able to take on things. He understands the defense better, and he’s improving as a tackler, which is one of the areas that he really targets is get better at, and he knows he has to work on that to be an effective player. But I’m very pleased with where he is.”

Justin Williams is setting the foundation of a leader

Williams feels had a different feel for where he’d grown the most. He feels his leadership has evolved a bit as well.

Williams has been trying to help the freshmen as much as he can. There aren’t any in particular. Williams has made a point to connect with the entire freshman class. He looks at them as younger brothers.

“I would say, from the most part, the whole entire freshman group, we clicked instantly,” Williams said. “As soon as they came in, we’re like, all right, where do you want go eat? Where do you want to do this? We all hung out at the dorm rooms. I still live in the dorms, but we all hung out, played some video games. We were all chatting up, talking about where you’re from, just having that connection piece. But they all clicked with us instantly. They were like our little brothers to us, for real, so we all clicked.”

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