Lawson Luckie, the junior tight end for Georgia, had the kind of talent that could have landed him at any college in the nation. Yet the Norcross, Georgia, native decided to stay close to home to play for the Bulldogs. However, Lawson didn’t choose the Bulldogs for the fame; rather, it was about prioritizing the chance to be near his younger brother, Cannon Lawson.

Cannon was born when Lawson was just seven, and it quickly became clear that his younger brother’s path would be challenging. Connor Lawson was born with cerebral palsy, unable to function on his own, needing round-the-clock care. Doctors diagnosed Connor with FoxG1 syndrome, which hindered brain growth, leaving him unable to see or hear. Growing up, Lawson played an active role in supporting his family and helping care for Cannon. When the time came to choose a college, that responsibility weighed heavily in his decision.

“We always wondered how tough it would be to do the long distance, and then that just kind of showed it firsthand. Like I’m entertaining these other schools, and it all sounds nice. But, like, at the end of the day, I need to be close to home,” he said in a video tribute to his brother. ESPN’s College GameDay broadcast featured the video as he was trying to resist breaking down while talking about his brother.

As fate would have it, Luckie has shone brightly, most notably in the Bulldogs’ 45-33 win over Ole Miss, where he recorded three touchdowns and announced his arrival as a central figure in Georgia’s offense. After his second touchdown, he sprinted across the end zone directly to Cannon, who was watching from the stands.

The look on his brother’s face was unforgettable, a moment that brought tears to anyone witnessing the bond between the two. That night, Luckie chose to celebrate quietly at home with Cannon, watching highlights together rather than joining teammates for postgame festivities.

Over the past few years, Lawson Luckie has steadily become one of the most trusted voices in Georgia’s locker room. His connection with quarterback Gunnar Stockton is well known, often showing up in some of the Bulldogs’ biggest offensive moments, including his breakout performance against Ole Miss. He guides younger players, carries himself with confidence, and speaks about his teammates with a sense of pride that reflects how deeply he’s respected within the program.

Head coach Kirby Smart has taken notice, too. “The sky’s the limit. Lawson can be really good. He keeps getting better. I like his confidence, his leadership, and his mindset. He’s got a toughness about him,” Smart said. Praise like that says plenty about Luckie’s impact. But just two weeks after that career-defining game in Sanford Stadium, adversity struck.

Kirby Smart provides the latest injury update on Lawson Lucky

Luckie went down with a scary head injury in the second quarter against Mississippi State after a helmet-to-helmet collision that sent him to the turf. Medical staff tended to him for several minutes before he was helped off the field and ruled out for the remainder of the game. The scene left teammates and fans concerned, and well-wishes poured in immediately.

Fortunately, the update that followed was far more encouraging. “Lawson is doing well. I think he’s going to make a good, quick turn. But we’ll see,” Smart said on Nov. 9. Recent reports suggest Luckie is expected to play against Texas, and his absence from the injury report supports that outlook. His return comes at the perfect time for Georgia, which sits at 8–1 and ranked No. 5 nationally as it continues its push toward a playoff berth.