Athens native Anthony Lonon Jr. commits to Georgia

On Saturday, the Georgia Bulldogs continued their in-state recruiting dominance as four-star defensive lineman Anthony Lonon Jr. of Clarke Central High School in Athens announced his commitment to UGA. Lonon, a legacy recruit and local standout, chose the Bulldogs over Georgia Tech, giving Kirby Smart and his staff another key piece in their 2026 class.

BREAKING: Four-Star DL Anthony “AJ” Lonon has Committed to Georgia, he tells me for @rivals

The 6’2 265 DL from Athens, GA chose the Bulldogs over Georgia Tech

“Born in Athens, raised by Dawgs. True pure bred!”https://t.co/e9umJvjBvG pic.twitter.com/PSWWxkPWX3

— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) August 2, 2025

At 6-foot-2 and 265 pounds, Lonon has made a name for himself as one of the country’s most versatile defensive line prospects. He possesses the rare ability to play multiple positions across the defensive front, thanks to his combination of quickness, strength, and technical skill. His relentless motor and explosive first step make him a matchup problem, whether lined up inside or outside.

Lonon’s recruitment had long been trending toward the Bulldogs. Both national analysts and predictive models strongly leaned toward Georgia leading up to his decision. While Georgia Tech made a strong push, the allure of staying home and playing for the team he grew up around proved too strong to pass up.

The decision carries special meaning for the Lonon family. Anthony’s father, Anthony Lonon Sr., played for Georgia in the 1990s before an injury cut his college career short. His mother is a two-time UGA graduate. The younger Lonon has often spoken about the pride he feels representing Athens, and now he’ll do so wearing the red and black in Sanford Stadium.

In addition to his football prowess, Lonon is a standout in track and field. He has posted strong marks in both the shot put and discus, showing the type of explosive lower-body power that translates well to the trenches on the football field.

His commitment bolsters what is already shaping into an elite 2026 recruiting class for the Bulldogs. Lonon joins a group of physical, athletic defensive linemen committed to Georgia who bring depth and upside to Tray Scott’s room. His ability to play multiple techniques makes him a valuable chess piece in Georgia’s ever-adaptive front.

For a program that prides itself on building from the line of scrimmage out, landing a homegrown player with this much potential is another big win. And for Lonon, it’s a dream realized — representing his hometown school on college football’s biggest stage.