Clarke Central High School varsity quarterback Hezekiah Millender, a senior, signs a National Letter of Intent to play football at the University of Georgia in the Billy Henderson Strength and Conditioning Center on Dec. 4. Millender de-committed from Boise State University in order to sign with UGA. “Just having that opportunity to play at a school like that and to play in front of the people I played in front of at high school, too, I’m just really blessed,” Millender said. Photo by Wyatt Meyer
The CCHS Athletic Department hosted a signing day for varsity quarterback Hezekiah Millender, who signed to the University of Georgia football team, in the Billy Henderson Strength and Conditioning Center on Dec. 4.
After a whirlwind last 12 months that saw Clarke Central High School senior varsity quarterback Hezekiah Millender move from Arizona to Athens and lead the Gladiators to a Region 8-AAAAA Championship, Millender is taking the next step in his football journey.
Millender officially signed with the University of Georgia football team alongside his coaches, family and friends this morning during the Clarke Central High School Athletic Department’s signing ceremony in the Billy Henderson Strength and Conditioning Center. The commitment capped his record-breaking year at CCHS with the opportunity to play for one of the country’s most vaunted college football teams starting in the spring.
Clarke Central High School varsity quarterback Hezekiah Millender surveys the field during the Gladiators 69-48 loss to Houston County High School in the second round of the Georgia High School Association State Playoffs in Billy Henderson Stadium. Even in the loss, Millender accounted for seven touchdowns – three rushing, four passing. Photo by Wyatt Meyer
“When I moved out here, I definitely didn’t expect to be able to play at the University of Georgia and have the opportunity to live out my dreams,” Millender said in his remarks. “I hope you don’t mind if I stay a little longer.”
Millender, who previously attended Desert Edge High School in Goodyear, Arizona, joined the CCHS varsity football team over the summer with a three-star rating from evaluation website 247 Sports. His arrival heralded one of the most successful seasons in recent memory – the Gladiators won the Region 8-AAAAA Championship for the first time in three years and advanced to the second round of the Georgia High School Association State Playoffs.
“To be such a tremendous person, to be as humble as he is, as gifted as he is, is rare. The impact that he’s had on our program is going to stretch for years.”
— David Perno,
CCHS head varsity football coach
Along the way, Millender continued to build an impressive personal resume. He accounted for 44 touchdowns from the quarterback position in 2024, a single-season CCHS record. Further, he became the first CCHS quarterback to account for at least 15 passing touchdowns and at least 15 rushing touchdowns since MaxPreps began tracking statistics.
“He was very gifted when got here, but at the same time, the progressions that he made from a leadership standpoint, and being able to get the most out of his teammates, his magnetic energy, that is what was neat for me to watch,” CCHS head varsity football coach David Perno said. “To be such a tremendous person, to be as humble as he is, as gifted as he is, is rare. The impact that he’s had on our program is going to stretch for years.”
At the signing ceremony, Perno, CCHS Athletic Director Jon Ward, and Millender’s parents spoke about Millender’s drive and passion. A consensus theme emerged – in Athens, Millender found a home.
Javee Millender, father of Clarke Central High School varsity football quarterback Hezekiah Millender, wipes away a tear after his son officially committed to the University of Georgia. Photo by Wyatt Meyer
“We all went from Arizona to come here and be able to support him, and so I’m really thankful that y’all have just shown us that Southern hospitality, that spirit, that energy. The love for my son is just amazing,” Millender’s mother, Yoeesha Hale, said in her remarks.
Millender’s commitment wasn’t cut and dry, though. In August, the quarterback announced his verbal commitment to Boise State University, but after Class of 2026 five-star quarterback Jared Curtis de-committed from UGA, Millender flipped his commitment and signed a National Letter of Intent with the Bulldogs.
Millender has accelerated his graduation timeline, ending in order to join UGA for spring camp. In doing so, he will become the first CCHS skill player to commit to the hometown Bulldogs since wide receiver Damien Gary, now CCHS’s offensive coordinator, in 1999.
“For younger athletes, this is a culmination of both hard work on the field, in the weight room, and in the classroom,” Ward said in his remarks. “We look forward to seeing (Hezekiah) play between the hedges for the next few years.”
