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Former Clemson football star AJ Terrell to serve as honorary captain for Tigers vs Georgia

CLEMSON — Former Clemson football cornerback A.J. Terrell will serve as an honorary captain for the No. 14 Tigers when they face No. 1 Georgia on Aug. 31 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

Terrell and Georgia's honorary captain, Kevin Butler, will join their respective team captains at midfield to participate in the pregame coin toss. Terrell's younger brother, current Tigers cornerback Avieon Terrell, shared the news Friday, and Aflac Kickoff Game's communications director Dillon Faulkner confirmed AJ Terrell's appearance to The Greenville News on Wednesday.

Avieon Terrell was ecstatic he will be reunited with his brother in their hometown as the Tigers open their season in Atlanta.

"I can't wait to play in front the home crowd," Avieon Terrell said. "My brother's gonna walk us out."

A.J. Terrell played at Clemson from 2017 through 2019 before being drafted in the the first round of the 2022 NFL draft by the Atlanta Falcons, who plays at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. He recorded 20 pass deflections, two forced fumbles and six interceptions, including a pick six against Alabama in the 2019 College Football Playoff championship game, during his Tigers career.

Butler kicked for the Bulldogs from 1981 though 1984, making 77 field goals — including a 60-yard kick that is the longest field goal in Georgia's history.

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This will be the first of five scheduled meetings between Clemson and Georgia during the next 10 years. The Bulldogs defeated the Tigers 10-3 in their most recent matchup in 2021 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte.

Clemson is attempting to rebound after a down 2023 season, when it finished with a 9-4 record and missed the College Football Playoff for the third consecutive season. Georgia aims to make it back to the CFP after missing last year when it lost to Alabama in the SEC championship game, its only loss of the season.

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Derrian Carter covers Clemson athletics for The Greenville News and the USA TODAY Network. Email him at dcarter@gannett.com and follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @DerrianCarter00

This article originally appeared on Greenville News: NFL, Clemson football star AJ Terrell to be honorary captain vs Georgia