ATLANTA — CeeDee Lamb and Grant Delpit keep crossing paths.

Earlier this month, Lamb, Oklahoma’s star receiver, and Delpit, LSU’s standout defensive back, were honored. Lamb was named a Bilentnikoff finalist, given to the country’s best receiver, and Delpit captured the Jim Thorpe Award, given to the best safety. Come Saturday, they’ll line up against each other in the Peach Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Come April, both are expected to be taken in the first round of the NFL draft.

Each notes how remarkable it is to be on such stages, to receive such accolades. Playing together as kids doesn’t seem so far away.

“We were always around each other,” Delpit said. “When we were growing up, we didn’t think we were going to be here.”

When they were sixth-graders in the Houston area, they joined the Fort Bend Express, an elite travel team. Delpit was one of the shortest kids on the team, playing cornerback and wide receiver. Lamb was one of the tallest, shining at running back and wide receiver.

Over the next three years, the Express won three state titles and never lost a game.

“That’s when times were so much simpler and you kind of enjoyed football more,” Lamb said. “Not to say we don’t now, but it’s more business than fun.”

Lamb and Delpit then played together on a seven-on-seven travel team in high school and maintained their friendship as Lamb caught passes from Baker Mayfield and Kyler Murray, and Delpit was being labeled the next Jamal Adams.

When No. 1 LSU (13-0) and No. 4 Oklahoma (12-1) were matched up in the College Football Playoff semifinals, Delpit’s first call was to Lamb.

On Saturday, the two will resume talking.

“Oh, during the game, definitely,” Delpit said. “It’s going to be some competition.”

Lamb, who grew up an LSU fan, could be the key to the Sooners pulling a massive upset. The 6-foot-2 junior led Oklahoma with 58 receptions, 1,208 yards and 14 touchdowns, while averaging 20.8 yards per catch.

Lamb ranks second among receivers in the nation in yards after contact (363) and is tied for second in missed tackles forced (25).

“He’s one of the best receivers we’ve seen,” LSU head coach Ed Orgeron said. “He’s big and he’s strong. … The biggest key is to keep him in front of you and tackle him. The yards after the catch is where he’s really dangerous.”

The best safety in the country stands in the way. So, does soon-to-be first-round pick Kristian Fulton and All-American Derek Stingley Jr., at cornerback.

“They’re definitely the most talented group I’ve seen,” Lamb said. “You can see it on film. They play with an edge. They play with passion. They’re physical. They earned the name of DBU [Defensive Back University].”

Only one can earn eternal bragging rights.