Georgia legacy Anthony Lonon commits to the Bulldogs over Georgia Tech

Athens (Ga.) Clarke Central defensive lineman Anthony Lonon had nearly 30 offers and a tough decision to make. NC State and Wake Forest pushed hard, and Georgia Tech was in a strong position, but in the end, the four-star decided to stay home and commit to Georgia — following in his father’s footsteps.

“Georgia was one of the late offers for me — they came in June — and I went back and forth a lot,” Lonon told Rivals. “Georgia Tech has great coaches and the program is coming up, but it came down to how I felt around the people and during the visits.”

Once the Bulldogs offered, things shifted for the No. 263 prospect in the Rivals Industry Ranking. The in-state powerhouse quickly showed Lonon their plan and vision for him, and it resonated.

“They showed me the culture, how they work, and I loved it. The way Georgia wants to use me stood out too — I can play anywhere from 9-tech to 3-tech depending on how I grow.”

Even though the offer came late, Georgia had been tracking Lonon for a while. He’d been to games in Athens and knew they had real interest.

Being a legacy made the commitment even more meaningful.

“My dad played at Georgia, but got injured. I want to carry out the potential he had and do it my own way. I’ll work hard and give it my all for him — and for myself.”

In the end, it came down to where he felt most at home.

“I talked with people I trusted and made the decision recently. What I love most about Georgia is the atmosphere, the culture, and being part of a program that expects to win.

“Georgia is where I belong and where I can be my best.”

And one moment from the summer stood out above the rest:

“Coach Smart talks a lot about playing with fire — that’s how I play. I’m about effort, pursuit, and being hell on the field. I want to be a part of what Coach Smart is building.”