Players of Haitian heritage to watch during college football’s championship week

In communities across the U.S., few things ignite regional pride or fuel rivalries quite like college football. While Haitian soccer players making waves internationally can be a common point of Haitian national pride, college football players of Haitian heritage are also making their mark. These athletes compete in a league where last year’s championship title game drew roughly 25 million viewers—rivaling the almost 26 million in the U.S. who watched the 2022 FIFA World Cup final. 

Following a thrilling regular season in college football, Conference Championship Week is here, bringing a weekend filled with games to follow. At least half of these matchups will influence which teams advance to the playoff field. Meet some of the athletes of Haitian heritage to watch this weekend.

Championship week features games at nine different conferences down from 10 last year due to the demise of the Pac 12 conference. For the first time, 12 teams will be ultimately selected to compete for the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I championship title, making it a particularly special year to tune in. 

ACC Championship Game: Clemson vs. Southern Methodist University
Clemson: #11 Olsen Patt-Henry
Olsen Patt-Henry is a tight end (TE) for the Clemson University Tigers. He is a sophomore from Naples, FL. Patt-Henry enters this year’s ACC conference game with an impressive nine receptions for 121 yards this season. The Clemson Tigers will face Southern Methodist University, ranked eighth nationally according to the Associated Press Top 25 College Football Poll.

You can follow him on X: @Olsenpatt | Instagram: @olsenpatthenry

BIG 12 Championship Game: Arizona State vs. Iowa
Arizona State: #7 Chamon Metayer
Chamon Metayer is a tight end for the Arizona State Sun Devils. He is a redshirt junior, a classification for players who transfer from a previous team and must sit out a year before playing in any games. Metayer was ranked the 33rd athlete in the nation by ESPN during high school. This will be Metayer’s first BIG 12 championship as a Sun Devil, as his team takes on Iowa State.

You can follow Chamon Metayer on X: @takeemdeep7 | Instagram: @takeemdeep7

SEC: Texas vs. Georgia
Texas: #21 Xavier Filsaime
The University of Texas Longhorns feature freshman Xavier Filsaime, a defensive back from McKinney, TX. Filsaime is entering his first SEC Championship game against the University of Georgia Bulldogs. Both teams rank in the top five of the Associated Press Top 25 College Football Poll, with Georgia ranked fifth and Texas second nationally.

You can follow Xavier Filsaime on Instagram: @4k.xae

MOUNTAIN WEST: UNLV vs. Boise State
Boise State: #2 Ashton Jeanty
Ashton Jeanty plays as a running back for the Boise State Broncos. Jeanty leads the nation in rushing yards with 2,288, making him the top rusher in the country. He is also a nominee for the 2024 Heisman Trophy, awarded to the best athlete in NCAA football. Boise State will compete for the Mountain West championship title against the University of Nevada Las Vegas.

You can follow Ashton Jeanty on Instagram: @deuce.2x

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