Georgia Tech Football: Four players to watch for against Clemson

These four Clemson Tigers could have major impacts against the Yellow Jackets on Saturday afternoon, contributing from all facets of the game.

When picking from a team as stacked in talent as the Clemson Tigers, it can be hard to choose just four players. You of course have Kelly Bryan, Trevor Lawrence, Christian Wilkins, and Dexter Lawrence as a few names to watch. Therefore, we wanted to go a little bit under the radar for this week’s addition of four players to watch.

This weeks’ players will surely give Tech fans not to mention Paul Johnson and Nate Woody a ton to think about on Saturday.

TE Braden Galloway

Galloway was pulled after the first drive of the Georgia Southern game last week after he made a rookie mistake on a pass block that ended in an interception for Georgia Southern. The Clemson coaching staff is very high on him despite the mistake and the belief is that he has the potential to be the best TE that Clemson has had. His physicality and blocking ability are what make me wonder about this guy going into Saturday. If the pass rush can get even a little pressure on the Clemson offense, then it could make for a fun game. Only time will tell if the freshman learned his lesson from his benching.

DE Austin Bryant

Austin Bryant is a member of the vaunted defensive line that the Tigers will bring into Atlanta on Saturday and has played a big role in holding the Jackets to the 2.1 yard per carry average that they have been held to in the last three years. The game plan for the defensive line according to him is to keep it as simple as possible and being able to read the keys of the option as it unfolds. The biggest question mark in this game for Tech to be successful will be whether or not Bryant and his fellow defensive linemen can be kept out of the backfield long enough to allow Marshall to make his reads on option plays.

RB Travis Etienne

The second-year man has separated himself as the lead back in the Clemson offense and gashed Georgia Southern last week for 162 yards and 2 touchdowns. His offensive line has been adept at opening holes for him even while, at least by Clemson standards, has not played to its full potential. He has been described as a game changer and can score with every carry. He will need to be a key target of the defenses game plan this Saturday.

K Greg Huegel

I am referencing the kicker in this post because honestly it feels good to know that it is not just our guys that have struggled a bit this season. Huegel missed from 39 and 47 yards while also connecting from 37 yards. He will need to find his consistency soon or the back up could replace him in a hurry.

Bonus: WR Justyn Ross

As told by Andrew Boardwine in our Clemson expert interview this week, freshman wide receiver Justyn Ross will be player to watch for. In Andrew’s words, Ross brings the following to the table for the Tigers.

“Ross is Higgins’ backup and won’t get a ton of snaps, but he is very efficient with his catches. I think he could finish the day with two catches and one of those go for a touchdown and another go for 20-30 yards. He’s just a great playmaker and that really is showing up as he continues to progress.”