Clarke Central High School varsity football defensive tackle Anthony “AJ” Lonon Jr., a rising senior, poses after committing to continue his academic and athletic career at the University of Georgia on Aug. 2 in the CCHS Weight Room. Lonon Jr. received 28 offers from post-secondary institutions nationwide, but ultimately landed on UGA. “I’m definitely excited to be on campus as a student (and) seeing how that is different from just living in Athens. And then, of course, with the program, I’m trying to get a ring, I’m trying to get multiple rings, so I’m ready to really be in that winner environment,” Lonon Jr. said. Photo by Iliana Tejada
After receiving 28 offers, rising CCHS senior Anthony Lonon Jr. committed to playing football at the University of Georgia on Aug. 2.
Surrounded by his teammates, coaches, his father, a former University of Georgia football player, and his mother, a Double Dawg, Clarke Central High School rising senior Anthony “AJ” Lonon Jr. committed to follow in his parents’ footsteps and stay in the Classic City.
The 6’2” 4-star defensive tackle committed to being a scholar athlete at UGA on Aug. 2. Despite receiving 28 offers from colleges and universities nationwide, Lonon narrowed his options down to two in-state institutions: UGA and the Georgia Institute of Technology.
“(My choice) was a matter of which schools do I know about? So, I did my research, I had to. Which schools can I see myself performing at? What have they produced? What have they sent to the league? What is their education like? Things of that nature and it just happened to come down to the two in-state schools,” Lonon Jr. said.
In the end, the deciding factor for Lonon’s commitment was not playing time. It was his family’s connection to UGA and the qualities he discovered when meeting with coaches.
“We’re from Athens. My dad played at UGA and my mom was a Double Dawg at UGA,” Lonon said. “But (also), just being able to go into the culture as a player, seeing how the coaches interacted with each other, how they went hard at practice, how everybody came together, it was just great to see and I had a great time. I really connected and was like, ‘Yeah UGA is the place to be for me.’”
A slideshow displays reactions from Clarke Central High School rising senior and varsity football player Anthony “AJ” Lonon Jr’s family, friends and coaches to him committing to play with the University of Georgia. Lonon received offers from 28 schools over the course of seven months before narrowing the choice down to UGA. “As an athlete when you’re a kid, you see the older kids, okay, they’re putting their hats, they’re committing to Clemson, Georgia, Alabama,” Lonon said. “You’re thinking, ‘Okay, I want to get to this point. I want to be the four star commit who commits to Georgia.’ So, just seeing everybody come out together to come and support me, it was great to see.” Photos by Iliana Tejada, graphics by Lea D’Angelo
Lonon’s commitment comes after three years of growth on the field. According to MaxPreps, he ranks #88 in Georgia and #2 in Region 8-AAAAA for sacks – a testament to his impact on the Gladiator’s defense.
He first took to the field as a freshman playing in six varsity games. By his junior year, he had become a consistent force, playing in 11 games on the defensive line.
“It’s very unique for a kid to come in our program for as long as (Lonon’s) been here and he never screws up. No poor decisions, he just does it,” CCHS varsity football head coach David Perno said. “If he feels like he’s got something (that will) help our program. He’ll come, sit down and say, ‘Coach, what do you think about this?’ I feel like I’m talking to an extension of our coaching staff, because he’s just that mature and so well rounded, it’s incredible.”
Clarke Central High School rising senior Anothony “AJ” Lonon Jr. announces his commitment to play football at the University of Georgia in the Clarke Central High School Weight Room on Aug. 2 during a ceremony attended by his family, past and former educators and coaches and teammates. Lonon, who has played football since he was five, recognized his parents, among many others, for his success. “I would like to give credit to both my parents,” Lonon said. “My mom is one of the best leaders I know, and then my dad is the most hardest-working person I know.” Photos by Iliana Tejada
Lonon’s athletic accolades– like 51 total tackles with 13 tackles for a loss and eight sacks during his junior season – and his academic achievements – like serving as CCHS Class of 2026 Vice President and maintaining a 4.2 grade point average – speak volumes. But, according to his father, Anthony Sr., his son’s decision was about legacy, loyalty and growth.
“I was one of the top recruits in ‘95. I played tight end and defensive end at Georgia (and) it was a really good feeling to watch and hear him commit to the ‘dogs. I always felt that this would be the story he had to tell,” Lonon Sr. said. “Through all (the) conversations with coaches from UGA, he matured and became that guy. He’s always been that guy in my eyes, but to watch and see him progress in their eyes and become that guy, undeniably, was a storyline ideal for me.”
“Being able to go into the culture as a player, seeing how the coaches interacted with each other, how they went hard at practice, how everybody came together, it was just great to see and I had a great time. I really connected and was like, ‘Yeah UGA is the place to be for me.’”
— Anthony “AJ” Lonon Jr.,
Clarke Central High School rising senior
Though Lonon Jr’s commitment to UGA carries symbolic weight for his family, his mother, Deborah, believes his success at the next level will be driven by the discipline and character he brings to everything he does.
“(At UGA,) AJ is going to work hard because that’s what he does. AJ likes to win and he doesn’t expect anything to be given to him, so he will be consistent. He will show up, he’ll push through difficult times and adversity. AJ is going to lead by example,” Deborah, AJ’s mother, said.
With his senior season ahead, Lonon is focused on finishing strong both in the classroom and on the field before graduating early and joining the Bulldogs just as Class of 2025 graduate Hezekiah Millender did. While he will be transitioning from red and gold to red and black, his goal remains the same: excellence.
“I wanna have a great football season (it’s my) senior year. I wanna have the best high school finish, straight As, Vice President (and) have great senior events,” Lonon Jr. said. “As an athlete, when you’re a kid, you see the older kids putting their hats on, (seeing that) they’re committing to Clemson, Georgia, Alabama and (I was) like, ‘Okay, I want to get to this point. I want to be the four-star commit who commits to Georgia.’ So, just seeing everybody come out to support me was great to see and I’m happy.”
