Early Enrollee Profile: Georgia EDGE Gabriel Harris

Another year, another massive early enrollee group for Georgia football. The Bulldogs welcomed 18 players to campus this January, on the heels of their second National Championship in as many seasons.

It’s well-known at this point how much enrolling early enhances a newcomer’s chances of playing in his first season. The benefits are many. Players get to get acclimated to college life, get a jumpstart on their education, and go through winter workouts plus spring drills.

Leading up to and into spring practice, which begins in a little over a week, DawgsHQ is profiling each of the players who joined the Georgia program in January. Next up is one of three talented edge defenders inked by the Bulldogs.

EDGE Gabriel Harris

On3 Industry Ranking: No. 67 overall, No. 9 EDGE, No. 16 in Florida

On3 Scouting: “Highly physical defender who plays with an edge that few in the 2023 cycle can match. Measured a shade shy of 6-foot-4 and around 245 pounds with a 33.25-inch arm, giving him requisite length for the position. May not have much more room for growth on his frame. Played against top competition at a top high school program in South Georgia prior to transferring to IMG for his senior year. Embraces contact.

“Physical at the point of attack. Effective in setting the edge and excels as a run defender. Sheds offensive linemen to make plays against the run. More of a power and straight line pass rusher as opposed to winning with pure speed and bend, but showed progress on that front as a senior. Drew high praise during his time at IMG. A solid not spectacular athlete. Plays with a high effort level. Has the look of a high floor prospect who could tap into his upside with continued progress as a pass rusher.”

The Story…

Other than the fact that Harris played for three different programs at the high school level, the story is pretty uneventful. He spent time in Thomasville and Valdosta before jumping across that Georgia/Florida border and finishing his career at IMG Academy.

Harris committed to the Bulldogs in April of 2022 and took a few visits to other programs after that. Auburn got him on campus twice and Florida State had Harris in for a camp. There was never any real concern about his commitment to Georgia.

Where Harris fits…

Some felt he would develop into a defensive lineman at the next level, likely a five-technique who could play in odd or even fronts. But Harris actually slimmed down a little during his senior season and got more twitchy and explosive.

We could see him eating and lifting his his way into a hybrid defensive end/outside linebacker role. We’ve seen Jordan Jenkins, Davin Bellamy, and even Travon Walker do it. For now he’s going to be a JACK linebacker who’ll be coached up on a variety of edge techniques

Time will tell whether he possesses the raw athleticism as fellow 2023 EDGE signees Samuel M’Pemba and Damon Wilson. Harris is a physical football player in possession of the tools necessary to play the position at a really high level.

Expectations this spring…

When it comes to the physicality and football IQ, Harris could be a step ahead of M’Pemba and Wilson. He got snaps over M’Pemba at times at IMG Academy and participated in a couple of playoff practices. That was before sustaining a hamstring injury that should be behind him by now.

We’re not going to be at all surprised if we hear some chatter about him once the pads come on. Kirby Smart will say that he has a lot to learn and a lot of room to improve. Harris, however, is a high-floor, high-ceiling guy who, if healthy, can help immediately.