The Atlanta Falcons announced on Apr. 24 that they have selected Clemson cornerback Avieon Terrell with the No. 48 pick in the 2026 National Football League Draft.
Terrell is the younger brother of A.J. Terrell Jr., who also plays cornerback for the Falcons and was a former first-round pick for Atlanta. Both brothers are from Atlanta and attended Westlake High School, continuing a tradition of local talent joining the team. The Falcons compete in the National Football League’s NFC South division, according to the official website.
Avieon Terrell played at Clemson University, where he started all twelve games in his final season, recording 48 tackles, three sacks, five forced fumbles, nine passes defended, and three career interceptions. He earned First Team All-Atlantic Coast Conference honors in 2025 and led his conference in forced fumbles that year. According to Dane Brugler of The Athletic: “Terrell is a fluid, easy mover, with light footwork in his pedal and read-and-drive reactions. He crowds receivers up and down the field and displays instinctive qualities to find and play the football… Overall, Terrell is undersized, but NFL teams… would be wise to bet on his reaction quickness and compete skills. He projects as a rookie starter with inside-outside versatility.” Daniel Jeremiah of NFL Network said: “Terrell is an undersized cornerback with tremendous quickness and instincts… this is an ideal nickel starter on Day 1.”
Clemson Head Coach Dabo Swinney said: “Avieon is as good as we’ve had here… I think he’s a really good tackler… He’s our career leader [at Clemson] for a DB [in forced fumbles]… He’s a guy that helps their team day one.” Clemson Cornerbacks Coach Mike Reed added: “They are getting a highly competitive young man who not only is a very good player but an even better person… you will remember his name, Avieon Terrell.”
The Falcons have advanced to the Super Bowl twice—in 1998 and again in 2016—according to their official website (https://www.atlantafalcons.com/). The franchise began as an expansion team in 1965 and remains based in Atlanta, Georgia (https://www.atlantafalcons.com/). Freddie the Falcon serves as their mascot (https://www.atlantafalcons.com/).
With Avieon joining A.J., there will now be two brothers competing at cornerback for their hometown team—a rare occurrence within any professional sports organization.