Valdosta defensive lineman Gabriel Harris, a four-star prospect who committed to Georgia, was denied his hardship appeal Tuesday and remains ineligible for his senior season, which begins for his team Friday. A four-person appeals committee heard Harris’ case at the GHSA’s Thomaston office and was unanimous in its decision.

GHSA rules say a student who transfers is ineligible for sports for one year unless the student makes a bona fide move with his or her family unit to a new school district. Failing that, the student must win a hardship appeal, arguing for special circumstances that necessitated a move that did not meet eligibility requirements.

Harris may make one final appeal to the GHSA’s full executive committee or board of trustees. Harris remains ineligible at any GHSA school. The GHSA routinely has no comment on matters that remain appealable.

Harris had 34 solo tackles, 12.5 tackles for loss and seven sacks as a junior for Thomas County Central in 2021.

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Fulton DA Fani Willis (center) with Nathan J. Wade (right), the special prosecutor she hired to manage the Trump case and had a romantic relationship with, at a news conference announcing charges against President-elect Donald Trump and others in Atlanta, Aug. 14, 2023. Georgia’s Supreme Court on Tuesday, Sept. 16, 2025, upheld an appeals court's decision to disqualify Willis from the election interference case against Trump and his allies. (Kenny Holston/New York Times)

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