Avieon Terrell will join his older brother, A.J. Terrell Jr., as a teammate on the Atlanta Falcons after being selected with the 48th overall pick, according to an April 25 announcement from the team.
The development is notable because it marks the first time that Avieon and A.J. will play together on the same team, despite both having previously played at Westlake High School in Atlanta and Clemson University. The Falcons compete in the National Football League’s NFC South division and are based in Atlanta, Georgia, according to their official website.
Reflecting on receiving his draft call, Avieon said: “As soon as I’d seen that call, soon as I’d seen that call, I knew it became real. My emotion was tears of joy, just tears of joy. Just knowing all the hard work I put in and getting that call, it just felt good. Hugging bro, that felt good. Me and bro hadn’t had one of those hugs in a long time, so we let it out during that hug for sure.” The brothers shared this moment with family members present.
A.J., who already plays cornerback for Atlanta, described how he learned about his brother’s selection before Avieon did: “I’m expecting my little bro’s phone to ring, and my phone rings,” he said Friday night. “When I seen coach hit me, I didn’t want to show too much emotion because little bro was standing right next to me…I had to wait three picks before I could even show some type of love to him.” Head coach Kevin Stefanski informed A.J. about their intention ahead of Avieon’s official selection.
Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney praised Avieon’s abilities: “To me, Avieon is a first-rounder talent-wise. I think he can play either corner spot…He’s a gym rat…He causes a lot of fumbles.” During his college career at Clemson from 2023-25 as a two-and-a-half-year starter at defensive back, Avieon set school records for forced fumbles among defensive backs—five in one season (2025) and eight across his career.
The Falcons began as an expansion team in 1965 and have advanced to the Super Bowl twice—in 1998 and again in 2016—according to their official website (source). Freddie the Falcon serves as their mascot (source).
Looking ahead to playing alongside his brother professionally for the first time after years of anticipation growing up together around football fields in Atlanta—and now sharing both city roots and NFL ambitions—Avieon said: “I always thought of it, and look, the dream came true…They messed up letting me and bro team up. So it’s time for it. They messed up. I love it.”