Micah Morris bringing physical presence to competition on Georgia offensive line

ATHENS, Ga. — At 6-foot-6, 330 pounds, Micah Morris is hard to miss, and when the Georgia guard steps foot on the football field, he’s making sure his presence is known.

“I like running into people. I like running over people. It’s just a mentality,” Morris told reporters this week. “Their mouthpiece better be in because mine is in and I’m coming for you. That’s pretty much it.”

Morris says he’s always been that way. Growing up, he primarily played on the defensive line. He transitioned to the offensive line in high school and realized pretty quickly that physicality would translate.

A former top-100 player in the Class of 2021 coming out of high school as an offensive tackle, Morris has found his home on the interior of the offensive line. Last season, the Camden County native saw action all 14 games for the Bulldogs as part of an offensive line that ranked first in the SEC and seventh nationally in terms of fewest sacks allowed. Morris wasn’t a starter, but he certainly was valuable with his ability to step in at moment’s notice in a rotation at guard and play starter-caliber snaps.

“It was a blessing. All the hard work that we all put in, just accepting my role and knowing that my number was called up, I was going to have to go out there and perform,” Morris said on his 2023 season. “That can go for any one of us in the offensive line room that we put up throughout the week.”

With Morris’ experience, plus the returning snaps of guys like Tate Ratledge, Dylan Fairchild and Xavier Truss, Georgia’s got more than just five players on the offensive line capable of contributing. The Bulldogs have used the rotation to their benefit the last few years, and you should expect to see it again.

“All of those guys are rolling. Tate’s been able to play some center which has opened up some guard reps. You’ve got Dylan, Micah, all of those guys competing there at guard and the two young guys playing there, so it’s been a good rotation,” Georgia head coach Kirby Smart said.

“Micah’s a very veteran, physical presence. He gives us a toughness and just an identity on offense of contact striking,” Smart continued. “Guys on defense know when Micah comes up on a double team or Micah pulls, he’s coming with bad intentions. And, he’s good to have, in terms of that group, creating an identity.”

Whether or not that presence results in a starting spot remains to be seen. He’s willing to accept whatever role is thrown his way, knowing that the collection of talent on the offensive line makes competition greater while also making it easier for a player to reach his potential.

“The type of players that we want to have here is the type that works hard, whether you’re in the rotation right now or a freshman coming up,” Morris said. “Coming in with a mindset to get better every day, going back to our core principles, we’re trying to stay consistent with that and work as hard as we can to get each other better, thus making the games much easier while allowing us to reach our true potential.”

“As far as me and my mindset towards that stuff, it starts whenever you commit to a school. Things might not always work out how you want them to, but you keep pushing. You’ll feel better for staying and knowing that you gave it all you hard rather than leaving and choosing another route,” he added. “That’s just my mindset. Some people feel like they have a better opportunity somewhere else and you can’t knock them for that either … As far as mentally, just knowing what has to be done. Mission, team, me. That’s our mindset. Just remembering the mission, do it for the team, and I’ll be ready.”

Georgia continues spring practice this week, passing the halfway point with its eighth session on Thursday. The Bulldogs will hold the first of three scrimmages this Saturday, wrapping things up two weeks later on April 13th at Sanford Stadium with the annual G-Day spring game (1:00 p.m. ET, SECN+).