Kirby Smart gives injury update on Gabe Harris Jr. ahead of matchup vs. Ole Miss
By David Wasson
Published:
The Georgia Bulldogs learned their opponent for the 2025-26 College Football Playoff quarterfinals over the weekend and are now preparing for the Ole Miss Rebels with the hopes that talented outside linebacker Gabe Harris Jr. will be able to be a part of that process.
Georgia coach Kirby Smart told reporters Monday that he hopes Harris, who has been hampered by a turf toe injury, will be able to play against Ole Miss in the Sugar Bowl on New Year’s Day (8 pm ET, ESPN).
“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 out defense.”
Harris has played in all 13 games for the Bulldogs this season and has recorded 26 tackles, 11 solo stops, 6½ tackles for loss and 1 sack. In 3 seasons in Athens, Harris has 49 tackles, 25 solo stops, 3 sacks and 3 forced fumbles.
Georgia would likely revert to Joseph-Jonah Ajonye if Harris can’t go against the Rebels, as well as cycle in Quintavius Johnson and Elo Modozie at the spot. The Bulldogs went 12-1 in 2025 and won the SEC championship to earn the No. 3 overall seed in the CFP bracket.
An APSE national award-winning writer and editor, David Wasson has almost four decades of experience in the print journalism business in Florida and Alabama. His work has also appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, the Los Angeles Times and several national magazines and websites. He also hosts Gulfshore Sports with David Wasson, weekdays from 3-5 pm across Southwest Florida and on FoxSportsFM.com. His Twitter handle: @JustDWasson.
