It’s about that time! The 12 team college football playoffs are here and off with a bang! We are now down to 8 teams, and Georgia players are a big reason why. I am here to tell you about every single player (on the active roster) from Georgia in the CFP Quarterfinals. Going game by game, starting with Notre Dame and the University of Georgia.

Let’s start with the team not from Georgia. Notre Dame blew the brakes of Indiana in the first round of the College Football Playoffs. Now they head to face the Georgia Bulldogs in the Allstate Sugar Bowl. The Irish are led by 4 Georgia players: Jayden Thomas, Deion Colzie, Anthony Knapp, and Cole Mullins.

Jayden Thomas is a 6’1 WR out of Atlanta, playing his High School ball at Pace Academy. Coming out of the class of 2021, Thomas was ranked as high as a 4-star, #218 national prospect (ESPN). He committed to the Irish over a ton of offers including: FSU, UGA, and Alabama, citing his connection with then Notre Dame WR coach Del Alexander. His true Freshman year, Thomas appeared in 3 games and recorded 0 receiving stats. The following year, Thomas broke out, appearing in 13 games and starting 7 of them. He recorded a career high 361 yards for 3 TDs on 25 receptions. He has provided a burst for Notre Dame over the last two years, recording a total of 477 yards and 4 TDs over that time span.

Deion Colzie was one of the top recruits in the 2021 class. Colzie was a unanimous 4 star prospect, and was ranked as high as the 11th best WR and 9th best player in Georgia (ESPN). He played near the UGA campus at Athens Academy. He actually committed to Notre Dame twice, after the first time he thought he might have rushed it (via 247 Sports), but he choice to stick it out in South Bend. So far in his collegiate career, Colzie has totaled 345 yards and 3 TDs in 41 career games (1 career start). Similarly to Jayden Thomas, his best season was his 2nd year (Sophomore), where he had 192 yards and a TD.

Anthonie Knapp is a offensive tackle out of Roswell High School in the 2024 class. He ranked as high as the 5th overall tackle and 12th best prospect in Georgia (On3). He has been a essential part of Notre Dame’s run in just his True Freshman year. He has appeared in every game and has started every game.

Cole Mullins is a defensive lineman out of Mill Creek High School in Hoschton. He helped lead Mill Creek to a state championship his Junior year, but missed his senior year due to an ankle injury. As a prospect, he was a unanimous 3 star, and choice the Irish over many schools including: UNC, Miami, and Georgia Tech. He has not appeared in any games this season (redshirted), but when he finishes cheering on his team this season, expect big things from him over the next few years.

Notre Dame will need all the help they can get to take down the 2nd ranked, SEC Champion Georgia Bulldogs. The Bulldogs have played a great season, and Coach Kirby Smart has made it a priority to recruit in state. They have a ton of in state recruits, which means I can’t give each one their own background (all though I would love to). So, they will all be grouped by postion.

Georgia is known for producing some of the most elusive players in the country, and UGA has made sure they got their fair share. UGA’s Georgia based WR group includes: Sacovie White (Freshman from Cass), Walter Blanchard (Freshman from Brookstone), Luke Bennett (Sophomore from Pierce County), Miles Thornton (Sophomore from Sandy Creek), Marek Briley (Freshman from North Gwinnett), Danny Curran (Sophomore from Lassiter), Will Taylor (Freshman from Cambridge), Brandon Moore (Junior transfer from Berry, played at Monroe Area HS), Jeremy Bell (Freshman from Clinch County), and Cole Speer (Junior from Calhoun). The leading receiver this season out of the players who are from Georgia is Sacovie White.

UGA did not just stop at recruiting in state receivers to catch passes, they also went all out at the Tight End position. This deep position includes: Oscar Delp (Junior from West Forsyth), Lawson Luckie (Sophomore from Norcross), David Lalaian (Freshman from Monroe Area), Patrick Hester (Sophomore transfer from Army, played at Northview HS), Cooper Johnson (Sophomore from West Forsyth), Jordan White (Freshman from Carrollton), and Henry Delp (Freshman from West Forsyth). The leading (TE) receiver for UGA was Lawson Luckie who totaled 348 yards and 3 TDs.

Georgia has a history of producing great running backs, and they went with these Peach state ballers to carry on that legacy: Dwight Phillips Jr (Freshman from Pebblebrook), Gannon Hearst (Sophomore transfer from Limestone University, played at Greater Atlanta Christian HS), Wade Penn (Freshman from Westminster), and Brandon Mathis (Sophomore transfer from West Georgia, played at Starr’s Mill HS). Wade Penn led all former Georgia High School players at UGA this season.

Georgia recently announced that starting QB Carsen Beck will be out of their matchup vs Notre Dame, meaning that former Rabun Gap QB Gunnar Stockton will likely start.

A staple on UGA teams throughout the Kirby Smart era has been their O-line. This season is no different, including former Georgia High School stars: Malachi Toliver (Freshman from Cartersville), Dylan Fairchild (Junior from West Forsyth), Will Snellings (Freshman from Whitewater), Micah Morris (Junior from Camden County), Bo Hughley (Freshman from Langston Hughes), Henry Peagler (Freshman from Pierce County), Nic Reeves (Freshman from Warner Robins), Tate Ratledge (Junior from Darlington County), Daniel Calhoun (Freshman from Walton), Jamal Meriweather (Freshman from Brunswick), and Tate Nelms (Freshman from Etowah).

Over the past few years, UGA has produced some of the top linebacker talents in all the country, with guys like Nakobe dean, Roquan Smith, Quay Walker, etc. This season, UGA has two linebackers from the Peach State Smael Mondon (Senior from Paulding County) and C.J. Allen (Sophomore from Lamar County).

Georgia born defensive lineman have become a staple for the state over the past decade, and UGA have made sure they stay home. The five players from Georgia are: Mykel Williams (Junior from Hardaway), Christian Miller (Sophomore from Cedar Grove), Nasir Johnson (Freshman from Dublin), Nazir Stackhouse (Senior from Colombia), and Justin Greene (Freshman from Mountain View). Mykel Williams led all Georgia High School players in sacks for UGA with 5.

As a former defensive back who played Georgia High School football, Kirby Smart has certainly not cut corners when recruiting them. UGA has 6 defensive backs from Georgia: K.J. Bolden (Freshman from Buford), Malaki Starks (Junior from Jefferson), Henry Waller (Sophomore from Westminster Schools of Augusta), Denton Shamburger (Sophomore from Westminster), Maurice Haynes (Freshman from Perry), and Parker Jones (Sophomore from Deerfield-Windsor). Jax Pope (Buford) Recently announced that he will transfer, however, he is listed on UGA’s 2024-25 roster.

Finally, UGA has gone all-out to recruit in state special teams talent including Noah Jones (a Junior, Punter from Cairo), Liam Badger (a Junior, Place Kicker from West Forsyth), Charlie Ham (a Graduate, Place Kicker from Westminster), and Henry Bates (a Sophomore, Place Kicker from Ware County).

This article used from information from ESPN, On3, 247 Sports, Rivals, and UGA and Notre Dame Football’s official websites.