By Heath Bradley.

By Heath Bradley

CLEMSON – For a player who only played his first significant snaps this past Saturday, Garry Peters seems as confident as a three-year starter heading into his first career start versus Georgia Tech Saturday in Death Valley.

Peters learned of his impending start against the Yellow Jackets as he walked in to meet with reporters Monday morning.

“I just found out,” he said. “I figured I would be playing a lot more.”

Knowing he would be playing more just shows part of the confidence Peters has in himself and his ability.

“Now my confidence is a lot higher than it was,” the redshirt sophomore said. “I have always been a confident guy, but now for me, my confidence is a lot higher. Especially with my teammates, they have my back.”

While confident, Peters also understands his effort was the only thing keeping him from the field earlier in the season.

“It has been myself. I have to prove myself to my coaches and my teammates,” he said. “I have not been going as hard as I should all the time. It has been because of me that I have not been out there.”

That’s all changed now. After going out there in the third quarter against Boston College, defenisve backs coach Charlie Harbison told Xavier Brewer to get ready, but Brewer looked as his coach and said, “Don’t worry, he’s got this. He is good. He’s got this.”

“That was cool to see Garry come in and step up for us,” Brewer said. “It is just cool to see him go out there and make plays.”

What has Peters done to improve his game and prove why he should be out there? He has worked on not only his preparation, but also his speed. For Peters, the mental preparation for the game is just as important as the physical, crediting his work in the film room to his success.

Following Saturday’s win over Boston College, Clemson defensive coordinator Brent Venables said Peters still has to improve what he does off the field and in the film room. Peters understands this, knowing he must become an even better student of the game to be the player Venables wants him to be.

“Coach Venables is intense and very detailed, he wants us be just like him,” Peters said. “He wants us to spend more time in my playbook.”

Peters, a Georgia native, is excited to get his first start and is excited that it’s in Death Valley.

“I cannot wait to play this week,” he said. “I have already started watching Georgia Tech. I already watched last week and put it behind me. I cannot wait.”

As for why he is already so in depth with his preparation for the week, it is because of how much he respects the game as well as his teammates.

“You don’t want to let your team down,” he said. “You want to study and prepare even harder.”

For Peters, the opportunity to start could not have come at a better time. A player who has been down on himself at times, Peters has continued to work hard and focus on getting better, making the most of his opportunity when it finally came.

“I am not going to lie, it has been hard at times,” he said. “At the same time, I have just stayed composed and waited for my opportunity. It presented itself, and I was the happiest guy ever.”