Ahead of the Clemson football team’s anticipated Week 1 matchup against Georgia, the defense is hopeful to pull off an upset against the number one team in the country, with many players hoping to do it in their home state.
The game is in Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Saturday afternoon, with linebacker Barrett Carter and safety Khalil Barnes returning to their home state of Georgia to play the state team. While Carter played in the stadium during the Tigers’ opening win against Georgia Tech in 2022 season, Barnes is excited to play his first game in one of the most known stadiums in the southeast.
“I played there a few times, being from Georgia,” Carter, a Suwanee native, said. “We played there in 2022, so it won’t be my first time playing there [or] on that stage. I’m just excited to show what we can do as a team and what I can do.”
Barrett Carter
“It’s going to be a cool experience,” Barnes said. “I’ve always dreamed of playing in Atlanta, especially in the beginning of a season is a blessing.”
It’s almost more of a full circle moment for Barnes, who grew up in Athens, right around the corner from the Bulldogs’ home stadium. In addition, Barnes’ grandmother owned a restaurant in Athens and catered for the Georgia team, having him around the team’s culture at a young age.
“I was up there a lot, for real,” he said. “My uncle played over there, so as a kid, at ages probably 5-11, I was up there for every home game at least, or on the sideline while they were warming up and stuff. It was definitely cool.”
Khalil Barnes
The two were also both recruited by head coach Kirby Smart, but the program decided to go in a different direction for Barnes.
“It was real close to home, so just through the recruiting process, they were real good to me,” Barnes said. “Every visit I had, it was good vibes [and] good energy over there. In the recruiting world, there are numbers you are not ready to take for the position, so I didn’t get an offer. It wasn’t any bad energy though. They were really cool through that process.”
For Carter, the Bulldogs offered him, but his loyalty was with Clemson.
“They did an amazing job recruiting me,” Carter said about his opponent. “They have a great coaching staff and a great foundation over there with a bunch of great dudes who have just really bought into their culture. I’m here at Clemson because I love it here.”
“I committed to the best university in the country [and] the place where I felt at home, where my heart was,” he continued. “Ultimately, I was a Tiger at heart, and I’m where I’m supposed to be, so I’m glad to be here.”
Despite a homecoming being exciting for the duo, the ultimate goal for the Tigers on Saturday is to take down the Bulldogs, which Barnes and Carter are excited to do, to shock the college football world early on in the season.
“Anytime you get a chance to go out there and play, it’s a once in a lifetime opportunity,” Carter said. “It’s just such a blessing to be able to play this game at such a high level like we do. Every Saturday, or anyday we get to play the sport, it’s a great opportunity, so I’m excited for it.”.
