Peters is saving the best for last

Peters sacks Louisville's Reggie Bonnafon Saturday

by David Hood - Senior Writer - Tue Oct 14 07:01:02 GMT-04:00 2014

CLEMSON – Clemson fans have heard the name Garry Peters Garry Peters
RS Sr. Cornerback
#26 6-0, 194
Conyers, GA
View Full Profile over the public address system at games a lot over the last three weeks, and with good reason.

The senior out of Conyers, Ga., is saving his best for last, putting together a stellar senior campaign that includes five pass breakups, 24 tackles and a huge sack that turned out to be one of the biggest plays in Saturday’s 23-17 win over Louisville.

In the second quarter of Saturday’s contest, Peters came off the edge and hit Cardinals quarterback Reggie Bonnafon. His sack forced the ball loose and was recovered and carried into the end zone by Grady JarrettGrady Jarrett
Sr. Defensive Tackle
#50 6-1, 290
Conyers, GA
View Full Profile for a Clemson touchdown. Considering the Tigers won by just six and weren’t able to muster an offensive touchdown, the play loomed large in the outcome.

Peters said the sack showed secondary coach Mike ReedMike Reed
Assist. Coach / Defensive Backs
View Full Profile that he has enough speed to make an impact on the game.

“I love it - Coach Reed thinks I am slow, so showing that I have some speed coming off the edge feels good,” Peters said Monday in the WestZone. “And then getting a score on defense, because we needed it. That was exciting for me, and that was a high point for me in my career.”

It was mentioned to Peters that he has put together several big games in a row, and he said it’s because the plays have simply been coming his way.

“I wouldn't say I have noticed an uptick in my play, because I try to go out and play every game hard and physical,” he said. “It's just that plays have been coming my way lately. That is probably what they are noticing - that there are more plays and more opportunities coming my way.”

The increased notoriety has led some to speculate that he could have a shot at the NFL, but Peters said he is just focusing on making Clemson better, especially with what’s still at stake for the Tigers.

“You always want to make your stamp when you are out there on the field, but I don't really think about the NFL Draft,” he said. “I have one class left before I graduate, and I am trying to focus on that first. And I really wanna see where our team can get, what type of postseason we can be in, whether that is final four, Top 10, Orange Bowl, whatever we can get. I want to see where we can get and what is our peak. That is my focus every day. I feel like the NFL is too far away for me to worry about that right now. I am just focused on the day-to-day.”

Two years ago at Boston College Peters notched his first career interception, a turnover that stalled a Boston College drive deep in Clemson territory and helped seal the victory for the Tigers. Clemson plays at Boston College this week, and Peters said he is looking forward to the opportunity.

“I don't know what it is about Boston College and my success there. I guess I was just lucky that year,” Peters said. “But yeah, you have to bring your own energy when you go up to Boston. It's always gloomy up there, and it feels like the sun never shines when we play up there. You really have to bring your energy, but with the veteran group we have on defense I feel like we will bring our own energy no matter where we play. And if we don't, Coach (Brent) Venables will make sure we have it.”