TCU wide receiver Quentin Johnston holds the trophy after the Fiesta Bowl NCAA college football semifinal playoff game, Saturday, Dec. 31, 2022, in Glendale, Ariz. TCU defeated Michigan 51-45. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
The defending champions Georgia Bulldogs will battle the Texas Christian University Horned Frogs in the 2023 College Football Playoff (CFP) National Championship. Georgia has a perfect 14-0 overall record while TCU has a 13-1 record. Both rosters feature players who were natives of the Southern California area.
TCU senior running back Emari Demercado is an Inglewood native who attended Downey high school. This season, he was third on the team in rushing yards with 651 yards. Demercado has six rushing touchdowns and one touchdown pass.
Prior to attending TCU, Demercado spent his freshman year at Saddleback College in Mission Viejo where he made 15 rushing touchdowns, and two touchdown passes.
Junior safety Mark Perry transferred to TCU from Colorado. During his junior year with the Buffs, Perry made 72 tackles. This past season, he had a season-high of nine tackles. He also racked up 56 solo hits. During his sophomore year, he played football and competed in track and field.
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Perry was the second leg in the 4x100m relay, and he participated in the 100m event. His performance qualified him for the Pac-12 championships.
Georgia quarterback Stetson Bennett celebrates after the Peach Bowl NCAA college football semifinal playoff game between Georgia and Ohio State, Sunday, Jan. 1, 2023, in Atlanta. Georgia won 42-41. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
In high school, Perry attended Rancho Cucamonga and Etiwanta high schools. Perry played wide receiver while at Etiwanta, making 12 catches for 214 yards. He also helped Rancho Cucamonga win a league championship.
Freshman defensive lineman Damonic Williams was the no. 35 overall player in California and the 50th defensive tackle in the nation during his time at Alemany. During this season, he made 4.5 tackles for loss and 12 solo tackles.
Georgia offensive lineman Earnest Greene helped St. John Bosco win the division I Southern Section State championship in 2019. He was ranked second in the nation in the interior offensive lineman position and was selected to compete in the 2022 All-American Bowl.
Junior wide receiver Nathan Priestley attended Loyola high school before Georgia. In high school, Priestley competed in football and baseball. During his one season on the varsity baseball team, he made two runs, two RBIs after 20 at bats.
The CFP National Championship will take place at SoFi Stadium on January 9 at 5:15P.M.
