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Georgia natives are set to take part in the college football playoffs | Take a look at who'll be fighting for a national championship

With the start of the College Football Playoffs just around the corner, over 100 players with ties to the Peach State will compete for a title. Find out who.

MACON, Ga. — The College Football Playoffs are right around the corner. 

While many people in Georgia will likely wait with anticipation before the UGA Bulldogs take the field in less than three weeks, there’s plenty more to tune into.

Several competitive playoff games will take place on Dec. 20 and 21, and on both days, Georgia fans will have an opportunity to see players they watched back when they were in high school playing on the biggest stage.

Central Georgia residents will watch many players they saw play at their alma mater. 

Players from the state of Georgia are all over the map, and the entire country will watch many of them play for a chance at a national championship. Here is a full list of every Central Georgia and Georgia natives in the College Football Playoff.

Central Georgia Natives

  • Redshirt junior Noah Whittington, running back for the Oregon Ducks.

    • Went to Peach County High School, from Fort Valley

    • Spent two seasons with Western Kentucky

    • Currently has 2,118 rushing yards, 14 rushing touchdowns, 416 receiving yards and three receiving touchdowns in his career.

      • Has 537 rushing yards, five rushing touchdowns, 106 receiving yards and two receiving touchdowns this season.

  • Sophomore CJ Allen, linebacker for the Georgia Bulldogs

    • Went to Lamar County High School, from Barnesville, Georgia

    • Emerged as a starter late in his freshman year, has been a full-time starter this season

    • Currently has 113 total tackles, six tackles for a loss, a sack, six pass deflections and an interception in his career

      • Has 72 total tackles, three tackles for a loss, four pass deflections and an interception this season.

  • Freshman Maurice Hayes, cornerback for the Georgia Bulldogs

    • Went to Perry High School, from Perry

    • A walk-on with the Bulldogs, has not seen the field

    • Had at least 32 tackles, a tackle for a loss, two interceptions and a forced fumble as a member of Perry’s State Championship-winning season

    • Joined teammate Colter Ginn in Athens.

  • Freshman Colter Ginn, quarterback for the Georgia Bulldogs

    • Went to Perry High School, from Perry

    • A walk-on with the Bulldogs, has not seen the field

    • Had 2,457 passing yards and 16 touchdowns as the starting quarterback for the Panthers in their State Championship-winning season.

    • Joined teammate Maurice Hayes in Athens.

  • Freshman Nasir Johnson, defensive lineman for the Georgia Bulldogs

    • Went to Dublin High School, from Dublin

    • Has not seen the field yet in his career - potentially taking a redshirt in his first season

    • Former highly rated 4-star prospect

  • Freshman Nic Reeves, offensive lineman for the Georgia Bulldogs

    • Went to Warner Robins High School, from Warner Robins

    • A walk-on with the Bulldogs, has not seen the field

  • Freshman Quentin Clark, linebacker for the Indiana Hoosiers

    • Went to West Laurens High School, from Dexter, Georgia

    • Was a three-star prospect coming out of high school, has not seen the field

    • Finished his junior year at West Laurens with 105 tackles, six sacks, five forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries

  • Senior Ahmad Walker, linebacker for the SMU Mustangs

    • Went to Warner Robins High School, from Warner Robins

    • Was a former two-star prospect, but became a three-star transfer after leaving Liberty, where he started his career.

    • Currently has 247 total tackles, 32 tackles for a loss, eight and a half sacks, 10 pass deflections and two interceptions.

      • Currently has 82 tackles, eight tackles for a loss, half a sack, three pass deflections and an interception this season.

  • Freshman Ricardo Jones, safety for the Clemson Tigers

    • Went to Northside High School, from Warner Robins

    • A former four-star prospect

    • Currently has 19 tackles, a sack and an interception on the season

  • Redshirt freshman Vic Burley, defensive lineman for the Clemson Tigers

    • Went to Warner Robins High School, from Warner Robins

    • Was a five-star or a near five-star recruit across multiple outlets.

    • Redshirted his true freshman year, and still hasn’t played much this season. Only has five total tackles in his career.

Georgia Natives

To no one's surprise, UGA holds the most amount of Georgia natives, but Clemson and Tennessee come in a distant second and third. Take a look:

UGA Bulldogs

  • Senior Smael Mondon Jr., linebacker from Dallas, Georgia

    • Went to Paulding County High School

  • Sophomore CJ Allen, linebacker from Barnesville Georgia

    • Went to Lamar County High School

  • Freshman KJ Bolden, safety from Buford, Georgia

    • Went to Buford High School

  • Junior Oscar Delp, tight end from Cumming, Georgia

    • Went to West Forsyth High School

  • Sophomore Lawson Luckie, tight end from Norcross, Georgia

    • Went to Norcross High School

  • Junior Mykel Williams, pass rusher from Columbus, Georgia

    • Went to Hardaway High School

  • Redshirt sophomore Gunner Stockton, quarterback from Tiger, Georgia

    • Went to Rabun County High School

  • Freshman Demello Jones, cornerback from Swainsboro, Georgia

    • Went to Swainsboro High School

  • Freshman Maurice Hayes, cornerback from Perry

    • Went to Perry High School

  • Freshman Colter Ginn, quarterback from Perry

    • Went to Perry High School

  • Redshirt senior Dan Jackson, safety from Gainesville, Georgia

    • Went to North Hall High School

  • Freshman Sacovie White, wide receiver from Cartersville, Georgia

    • Went to Cass High School

  • Freshman Dwight Phillips Jr., running back from Mableton, Georgia

    • Went to Pebblebrook High School.

  • Junior Malaki Starks, safety from Jefferson, Georgia

    • Went to Jefferson High School

  • Redshirt freshman Sam Bush, quarterback from Athens, Georgia

    • Went to Athens Academy

  • Redshirt freshman Walter Blanchard, wide receiver from Columbus

    • Went to Brookstone

  • Redshirt sophomore Luke Bennett, wide receiver from Blackshear, Georgia

    • Went to Pierce County High School

  • Sophomore Gabe Harris Jr., pass rusher from Thomasville, Georgia

    • Went to IMG Academy

  • Redshirt sophomore Terrell Foster, linebacker from Kennesaw, Georgia

    • Went to IMG Academy

  • Redshirt sophomore Gannon Hearst, running back from Johns Creek, Georgia

    • Went to Greater Atlanta Christian School

  • Freshman Wade Penn, running back from Atlanta

    • Went to Westminster School

  • Senior Chaz Chambliss, pass rusher from Carrollton, Georgia

    • Went to Carrollton High School

  • Freshman Quintavius Johnson, pass rusher from Atlanta

    • Went to Mays High School

  • Redshirt sophomore Jacob Fleming, safety from Atlanta

    • Went to Westminster School

  • Redshirt sophomore Henry Waller, defensive back from Evans, Georgia

    • Went to Westminster Schools of Augusta

  • Redshirt sophomore Brandon Mathis, running back from Fayetteville, Georgia

    • Went to Starrs Mill

  • Redshirt sophomore Parker Jones, cornerback from Albany, Georgia

    • Went to Deerfield-Windsor

  • Redshirt sophomore Miles Thornton, wide receiver from Tyrone, Georgia

    • Went to Sandy Creek

  • Redshirt freshman David Lalaian, tight end from Monroe, Georgia

    • Went to Monroe Area

  • Redshirt sophomore Denton Shamburger, defensive back from Atlanta

    • Went to Westminster School

  • Redshirt freshman Marek Briley, wide receiver from Buford, Georgia

    • Went to North Gwinnett

  • Redshirt sophomore Patrick Hester, tight end from Johns Creek, Georgia

    • Went to Northview High School

  • Redshirt sophomore Danny Curran, wide receiver from Marietta, Georgia

    • Went to Lassiter High School

  • Redshirt senior Sam Shurtleff, outside linebacker from Watkinsville, Georgia

    • Went to Oconee County High School

  • Redshirt freshman Will Taylor, wide receiver from Milton, Georgia

    • Went to Cambridge High School

  • Redshirt sophomore Cooper Johnson, tight end from Cumming, Georgia

    • Went to West Forsyth High School

  • Redshirt freshman Will Snellings, long snapper from Fayetteville, Georgia

    • Went to Whitewater

  • Freshman Malachi Toliver, offensive lineman from Cartersville, Georgia

    • Went to Cartersville High School

  • Redshirt sophomore Christen Miller, defensive lineman from Ellenwood, Georgia

    • Went to Cedar Grove High School

  • Redshirt junior Dylan Fairchild, offensive lineman from Cumming, Georgia

    • West Forsyth High School

  • Freshman Nasir Johnson, defensive lineman from Dublin

    • Went to Dublin High School

  • Redshirt junior Micah Morris, offensive lineman from Kingsland, Georgia

    • Went to Camden County High School

  • Redshirt freshman Bo Hughley, offensive lineman from Fairburn, Georgia

    • Went to Langston Hughes

  • Redshirt freshman Henry Peagler, offensive lineman from Blackshear, Georgia

    • Went to Pierce County High School

  • Freshman Nic Reeves, offensive lineman from Warner Robins

    • Went to Warner Robins High School

  • Freshman Jahzare Jackson, offensive lineman from San Diego, California

    • While not a Georgia native, went to Overtime Elite in Atlanta

  • Redshirt junior Jonathan Washburn, long snapper from Ringgold, Georgia

    • Went to Heritage High School

  • Senior Tate Ratledge, offensive lineman from Rome, Georgia

    • Went to Darlington School

  • Freshman Daniel Calhoun, offensive lineman from Marietta, Georgia

    • Went to Walton High School

  • Redshirt freshman Jamal Meriweather, offensive lineman from Brunswick, Georgia

    • Went to Brunswick High School

  • Freshman Tate Nelms, offensive lineman from Woodstock, Georgia

    • Went to Etowah High School

  • Senior Nazir Stackhouse, defensive lineman from Stone Mountain, Georgia

    • Went to Columbia High School

  • Junior Brandon Moody, wide receiver from Monroe, Georgia

    • Went to Monroe Area

  • Freshman Jeremy Bell, wide receiver from Homerville, Georgia

    • Went to Clinch County High School

  • Junior Cole Speer, wide receiver from Calhoun, Georgia

    • Went to Calhoun High School

  • Freshman Jordan White, tight end from Carrollton, Georgia

    • Went to Carrollton High School

  • Freshman Henry Delp, tight end from Cumming, Georgia

    • Went to West Forsyth High School

  • Freshman Justin Greene, defensive lineman from Dacula, Georgia

    • Went to Mountain View High School

  • Redshirt sophomore Henry Bates, kicker from Waycross, Georgia

    • Went to Ware County High School

  • Graduate Charlie Ham, kicker from Atlanta

    • Went to Westminster School

  • Junior Liam Badger, kicker from Cumming, Georgia

    • Went to West Forsyth High School

  • Senior Warren Brinson, defensive lineman from Savannah, Georgia

    • Went to IMG Academy

  • Junior Noah Jones, punter from Cairo, Georgia

    • Went to Cairo High School

Oregon Ducks

  • Redshirt junior Noah Whittington, running back from Fort Valley

    • Went to Peach County High School

Boise State Broncos

  • N/A

Arizona State Sun Devils

  • Graduate Jeff Clark, defensive lineman from Powder Springs, Georgia

    • Went to McEachern High School. Also played at Georgia State before transferring

  • Freshman Tyler Laskaris, quarterback from Roswell, Georgia

    • Went to Fellowship Christian

  • Senior Jeff Smims, quarterback from Jacksonville, Florida

    • While not from Georgia, went to Georgia Tech before transferring

Texas Longhorns

  • Junior Isaiah Bond, wide receiver from Buford, Georgia

    • Went to Buford High School

  • Senior Bill Norton, defensive lineman from Memphis, Tennessee

    • While not from Georgia, went to UGA before transferring

Penn State Nitany Lions

  • Redshirt freshman Cam Wallace, running back from Mount Vernon, Georgia

    • Went to Montgomery County High School

  • Redshirt sophomore Audavion Collins, cornerback from Covington, Georgia

    • Went to Newton High School

  • Redshirt senior Jalen Kimber, cornerback from Merrillville, Indiana

    • While not from Georgia, went to UGA before transferring

  • Sophomore A.J. Harris, cornerback from Phenix City, Alabama

    • While not from Georgia, went to UGA before transferring

Notre Dame Fighting Irish

  • Senior Deion Clozie, wide receiver from McDonough, Georgia

    • Went to Athens Academy

  • Freshman Cole Mullins, defensive lineman from Hoschton, Georgia

    • Went to Mill Creek High School

  • Freshman Anthonie Knapp, offensive lineman from Roswell, Georgia

    • Went to Roswell High School

  • Senior Jayden Thomas, wide receiver from Paulding County

    • Went to Pace Academy

Ohio State Buckeyes

  • Sophomore Caleb Downs, safety from Hoschton, Georgia

    • Went to Mill Creek High School

  • Senior Jordan Hancock, cornerback from Suwanee, Georgia

    • Went to North Gwinnett High School

  • Freshman Air Noland, quarterback from College Park, Georgia

    • Went to Langston Hughes High School

  • Junior Kojo Antwi, wide receiver from Suwanee, Georgia

    • Went to Lambert High School

  • Sophomore Jelani Thurman, tight end from Fairburn, Georgia

    • Went to Langston Hughes High School

  • Graduate Seth McLaughlin, center from Buford, Georgia

    • Went to Buford High School

  • Junior Bennett Christian, tight end from Acworth, Georgia

    • Went to Allatoona High School

  • Freshman Eddrick Houston, defensive lineman from Atlanta

    • Went to Buford High School

  • Sophomore Kayden McDonald, defensive lineman from Suwanee, Georgia

    • Went to North Gwinnett High School

Tennessee Volunteers

  • Redshirt freshman Ethan Davis, tight end from Atlanta

    • Went to Collins Hill High School

  • Redshirt sophomore Christian Harrison, defensive back from Atlanta

    • Went to Woodward Academy

  • Freshman Mike Matthews, wide receiver from Lilburn, Georgia

    • Went to Parkview High School

  • Freshman Jake Merklinger, quarterback from Savannah, Georgia

    • Went to Calvary Day

  • Redshirt junior Christian Charles, defensive back from Gainesville, Georgia

    • Went to Chestatee High School

  • Redshirt freshman Tyree Weathersby, defensive lineman from Douglasville, Georgia

    • Went to New Manchester High School

  • Junior Joshua Josephs, defensive lineman from Kennesaw, Georgia

    • Went to North Cobb High School

  • Junior Holden Staes, tight end from Atlanta

    • Went to Westminster School

  • Sophomore Jeremiah Telander, linebacker from Gainesville, Georgia

    • Went to Gainesville High School

  • Sophomore Caleb Herring, defensive lineman from Newnan, Georgia

    • Went to Riverdale High School in Tennessee

  • Redshirt sophomore Andre Stewart, defensive back from Kennesaw, Georgia

    • Went to North Cobb High School

  • Redshirt freshman Jalen Smith, linebacker from Grayson, Georgia

    • Went to Grayson High School

  • Junior Tyre West, defensive lineman from Tifton, Georgia

    • Went to Tifton County High School

  • Freshman Jordan Burns, linebacker from Conyers, Georgia

    • Went to Pace Academy

  • Freshman Jeremias Heard, offensive lineman from Rome, Georgia

    • Went to Model High School

  • Redshirt sophomore Larry Johnson III, offensive lineman from Savannah, Georgia

    • Went to Alfred Ely Beach

  • Redshirt freshman Shamurad Umarov, offensive lineman from Alpharetta, Georgia

    • Went to Denmark High School

  • Redshirt sophomore Kaleb Webb, wide receiver from Powder Springs, Georgia

    • Went to McEachern High School

Indiana Hoosiers

  • Redshirt senior Nic Toomer, defensive back from Tyrone, Georgia

    • Went to Sandy Creek High School

  • Graduate Solomon Vanhorse, running back from Alpharetta, Georgia

    • Went to Milton High School

  • Freshman Quentin Clark, linebacker from Dexter, Georgia

    • Went to West Laurens High School

  • Redshirt senior Mark Langston, long snapper from Savannah, Georgia

    • Went to Savannah Christian

  • Freshman Daniel Ndukwe, defensive lineman from Lithonia, Georgia

    • Went to Arabia Mountain

SMU Mustangs

  • Graduate Kobe Wilson, linebacker from Snellville, Georgia

    • Went to Parkview

  • Senior Ahmad Walker, linebacker from Warner Robins

    • Went to Warner Robins High School

  • Graduate Will Benton IV, long snapper from Atlanta

    • Went to The Westminster Schools

  • Graduate Jakai Clark, offensive lineman from Loganville, Georgia

    • Went to Grayson High School

  • Redshirt sophomore Qae’Shon Sapp, offensive lineman from Leesburg, Georgia

    • Went to Lee County

  • Redshirt freshman Henry Douglass, offensive lineman from Atlanta

    • Went to Westminster

  • Graduate Jonathan Jefferson, defensive lineman from Douglasville, Georgia

    • Went to Douglas County High School, transferred from UGA

Clemson Tigers

  • Senior Barrett Carter, linebacker from Suwanee, Georgia

    • Went to North Gwinnett High School

  • Redshirt freshman Branden Strozier, cornerback from Lovejoy, Georgia

    • Went to Saint Francis High School

  • Sophomore Shelton Lewis, cornerback from Stockbridge, Georgia

    • Went to Stockbridge High School

  • Sophomore Khalil Barnes, safety from Athens, Georgia

    • Went to North Oconee High School

  • Graduate Phil Mafah, running back from Loganville, Georgia

    • Went to Grayson High School

  • Redshirt freshman Rob Billings, safety from Marietta, Georgia

    • Went to Milton High School

  • Redshirt sophomore Myles Oliver, cornerback from Villa Rica, Georgia

    • Went to Douglas County High School

  • Sophomore Avieon Terrell, cornerback from Atlanta

    • Went to Westlake High School

  • Redshirt freshman Dee Crayton, linebacker from Alpharetta, Georgia

    • Went to Denmark High School

  • Redshirt freshman running back Peyton Streko, running back from Cumming, Georgia

    • Went to West Forsyth High School

  • Freshman David Eziomume, running back from Acworth, Georgia

    • Went to North Cobb High School

  • Freshman Ricardo Jones, safety from Warner Robins

    • Went to Northside High School

  • Freshman Noah Dixon, safety from LaGrange, Georgia

    • Went to Troup County High School

  • Freshman Joe Wilkinson, safety from Rome, Georgia

    • Went to Rome High School

  • Sophomore Jamal Anderson, linebacker from Buford, Georgia

    • Went to Mill Creek High School

  • Redshirt junior Armon Mason, defensive end from Richmond Hill, Georgia

    • Went to Richmond Hill High School

  • Freshman Hevin Brown-Shuler, defensive lineman from Atlanta

    • Went to Pace Academy

  • Redshirt freshman Vic Burley, defensive lineman from Warner Robins

    • Went to Warner Robins High School

  • Redshirt freshman Tyler Conner, defensive back from Suwanee, Georgia

    • Went to Peachtree Ridge High School

  • Freshman Sammy Brown, linebacker from Commerce, Georgia

    • Went to Jefferson High School

  • Freshman Champ Thompson, defensive lineman from Gainesville, Georgia

    • Went to Gainesville High School

  • Graduate Holden Caspersen, long snapper from Roswell, Georgia

    • Went to Roswell High School

  • Redshirt junior Zach Jackson, wide receiver from Acworth, Georgia

    • Went to Allatoona High School

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