ATLANTA — Only months after Georgia defensive linemen and Ohio State wide receivers filled a combined five first-round slots in the NFL draft, those positions again boast top talent for the teams that will meet in Saturday night’s Peach Bowl, a College Football Playoff semifinal.
Reigning national champion Georgia had three defensive linemen, including No. 1 overall pick Travon Walker, selected in the first round of this year’s NFL draft. The Buckeyes had wide receivers Garrett Wilson and Chris Olave chosen with the 10th and 11th picks, respectively.
Despite those losses of significant players to the pro ranks, Saturday night’s game in Atlanta will showcase evidence that No. 4 Ohio State (11-1) and the top-ranked Bulldogs (13-0) reloaded with more star players.
Wide receiver again is a strength for the Buckeyes as two players, Marvin Harrison Jr. and Emeka Egbuka, have more than 1,000 receiving yards apiece. Quarterback C.J. Stroud said Egbuka and Harrison showed their talent even when they had to play behind Olave and Wilson.
“I’m not saying they’re better than Garrett and Chris, but they were playing really good football to be freshmen,” Stroud said. “And I think when you come in with that type of attitude — I am not just going to be here to learn; I am going to be here to dominate — that’s when you learn and that’s when you become a great football player. So it hasn’t been overnight.”