Georgia vs. Clemson football matchup to spotlight many metro Atlanta area players

College football is here! And it kicks off with a huge game Saturday night on WSB-TV.

No. 5 Georgia’s Week 1 matchup with No. 3 Clemson is only days away and it’s easily the most anticipated game to start the season. The game will air Saturday night on Channel 2 with coverage starting at 7 p.m.

Channel 2′s UGA-Clemson coverage begins with all-new Bulldogs Game Day starting 11 a.m. on Saturday.

[RELATED: Former UGA stars Aaron Murray, Thomas Davis join WSB-TV Bulldogs Game Day]

Fans tuning into the big game will see a number of big plays made by many players who played high school football in the Atlanta area. And while former Cartersville High School quarterback Trevor Lawrence is off to the Jacksonville Jaguars, here’s a look at who fans can keep a watch out for.

UGA Offensive Line

Justin Shaffer (Cedar Grove) with the hig SLAP, commits to UGA Check out #77 Justin Shaffer with the big slap!

A handful of local players will pave the way for the Bulldogs on Saturday night. Pace Academy’s Jamaree Salyer, Cedar Grove’s Justin Shafer, North Gwinnett’s Warren Ericson, The Darlington School’s Tate Ratledge and Marist’s John FitzPatrick will all likely see significant time on the field.

Darlington School's Tate Ratledge: Montlick & Associates Athlete of the Week Darlington School's Tate Ratledge: Montlick & Associates Athlete of the Week

UGA LB Adam Anderson

Senior Adam Anderson spent high school years winning state championship for Rome High School. This year, he aims to navigate the Bulldogs to a national championship from his linebacker position. Anderson is listed on the preseason watch for the Butkus Award. That goes to the nation’s top linebacker.

Rome's Adam Anderson: Montlick & Associates Athlete of the Week Rome's Adam Anderson: Montlick & Associates Athlete of the Week

UGA DL Travon Walker

Walker ranked as the No. 2 defensive tackle in the nation coming out of Upson-Lee High School. Last year, he was the co-winner of the Defensive Newcomer of the Year for the Bulldogs. He was voted as a third-time All-SEC this preseason.

Georgia commit Travon Walker plays QB too! Check out Upson-Lee's Travon Walker lining up at QB. See more high school football http://2wsb.tv/hsfootball

Clemson CB Andrew Booth Jr.

Booth spent his high school years making plays all over the field for Archer High School. And he picked up right where he left off once he arrived at Clemson. Now at junior, Booth was a second-team All-ACC pick a year ago.

Clemson LB Baylon Spector

Spector was a first team all-state player for Calhoun High School in 2016. He played both quarterback and linebacker in high school. Spector had a team-high 72 tackles for the Tigers in 2020. He’ll start at linebacker for the Tigers.

Hillgrove's Myles Murphy: Montlick & Associates Athlete of the Week Hillgrove's Myles Murphy: Montlick & Associates Athlete of the Week

Clemson DE Myles Murphy

Murphy ranked as the state of Georgia’s No. 1 football recruit for the 2020 class out of Hillgrove High. Last season, he was named a freshman All-American after starting six games for the Tigers. He was credited with 51 tackles and four sacks.

North Gwinnett's Barrett Carter: Montlick & Associates Athlete of the Week Carter plans to play college football at Clemson.

Clemson LB Barrett Carter

Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney called the former North Gwinnett star as dynamic a player as Clemson has ever signed. He did play running back in high school, too. While only a freshman, with that kind of endorsement, don’t be surprised to see Barrett on the field Saturday night.

Milton's Paul Tchio: Montlick & Associates Athlete of the Week Tchio will head to Clemson next year to play for the Tigers.

Clemson OL Paul Tchio

Tchio spent his high school days wrecking havoc on defensive fronts for Milton High School. Today, the 300-pound Tchio plays left guard for the Tigers and will spend his day trying to protect Clemson’s new quarterback.

Westlake's Dacari Collins: Montlick & Associates Athlete of the Week

Clemson WR Dacari Collins

While Clemson has plenty of weapons at receiver this season, Swinney spoke highly of the former Westlake player following spring practices. And at 6-5, 200 pounds, he provides a great target.

Other Clemson players from the Atlanta area and north Georgia include South Gwinnett LB Justin Mascoll, Calhoun WR Brannon Spector, Milton S Joseph Charleston, Westlake CB Nate Wiggins, Cedartown RB Kobe Pace, Archer S Jalyn Phillips and Grayson RB Phil Mafah, among others.

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