This weekend is going to feature many matchups that college football fans alike have been anticipating for some time. 

For example: Alabama vs Georgia, potent offense vs elite defense, quick strike wide receivers against lockdown defensive backs, amongst a host of other exciting stories to unfold Saturday.

In addition to these, a lesser known, more friendly competition will be playing out on the gridiron amongst former high school teammates. 

New Mexico State v Alabama
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In 2018, Alabama Cornerback Patrick Surtain II and Georgia Cornerback Tyson Campbell were the No. 1 and No. 2 ranked corners in the country coming out of high school, according to the 247Sports Composite. Playing for the American Heritage School Patriots in Plantation, Florida, the two played major roles in the Patriots’ 14-0 championship season, holding opponents to an average of 14 points a game. 

Alabama had a shot to land both of them, with the Tide being in both the elite prospects’ top options. Georgia would eventually pick up more momentum in Cambell’s recruitment, and on National Signing Day in 2018, the tandem announced their commitments to the rival SEC schools. 

Allstate Sugar Bowl - Texas v Georgia
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The two have been on alternate sidelines in an Alabama-Georgia game once before, for the 2018 SEC Championship game. Surtain II started the game at cornerback for the Tide, registering seven tackles and a pass deflection. Campbell on the other hand, was relegated to a backup role and saw little action on the field. 

Now that both have starting roles on their respective teams, the competition is on to see who has developed the most since high school, and who will show it with a stronger game on Saturday. So far this season, Surtain II has totaled nine tackles and a pass deflection, and Campbell has six tackles and three pass deflections.

Both have NFL aspirations, and both are ranked in the Top Six best corners available for the 2021 NFL draft, according to CBS Sports. Saturday will also be a chance for both to prove why they deserve to be drafted first, when Campbell takes on the likes of wide receivers Jaylen Waddle, Devonta Smith, and John Metchie, and Surtain takes on George Pickens, Jermaine Burton and Kearis Jackson. 

If nothing else, it’s a chance for both to answer the question: head to head, Who was the better cornerback on that 2017 American Heritage team? 

At the end of the day on Saturday, we will likely have an answer. 

The Tide host the Bulldogs at 7:00 p.m. Central Time Saturday in Bryant Denny Stadium. The game will be broadcasted on CBS, or tune in to Tide 100.9 for full coverage.

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