Not only is Avieon Terrell getting to play in the NFL for his hometown team, the Atlanta Falcons, but he also gets to play with his older brother – fellow former Clemson star A.J. Terrell.
That is the scenario that has played out for the Terrell brothers after Avieon was selected by the Falcons in the second round of April’s NFL Draft, joining A.J., who has become a fixture on the back end of Atlanta’s defense since being selected by the franchise in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft.
Now, the two brothers, each hailing from Clemson, are together in the same secondary in the NFL.
Avieon and A.J. were featured on Good Morning America, with the two describing what it’s like to both be playing for the Falcons.
“It’s a blessing that we’re in this situation. The stage don’t get no bigger than where we’re at,” A.J. said.
“It’s going to be a movie,” Avieon added. “It’s going to be a movie. I feel like it’s just going to bring the fans out. Everybody wants to see what the Terrell brothers going to do.”
Emotions were flowing after the Falcons selected Avieon with the No. 48 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. After the selection, the Terrell brothers experienced a really cool moment when they shared an emotional hug and embrace.
Avieon reflected on the first moment when he learned he was going to be a Falcon and would get to suit up with his brother at the professional level.
“Ain’t no way. Falcon? Ain’t no way,” Avieon said. “I went right up to AJ and gave him a hug, because this is, like, going to play with my blood. I can’t wait.”
Not only are the two playing on the same team, but they play the same position – cornerback.
“At first, I’m like, it ain’t going to be weird,” A.J. said. “We’re going to be in the same building, you know, practicing, and it ain’t going to be weird. It’s just going to be another day. Until that first day came, I’m like, I’m with little bro.”
“It’s crazy, being in the same meetings with my bro, talking ball,” Avieon added. “We both seen the same thing. We get to leave work and go home and watch film.”
A 2025 All-American and Jim Thorpe Award semifinalist, Avieon was credited with 128 tackles (nine for loss), 30 pass breakups, three interceptions, four sacks, eight forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries across 39 games (31 starts) in his career at Clemson from 2023-25.
The two-time All-ACC selection set Clemson records for a defensive back in forced fumbles in a season (five in 2025) and a career (eight), and he led all cornerbacks nationally in forced fumbles across his Clemson career.
Also a two-time All-ACC selection, A.J. concluded his three-year Clemson career (2017-19) with 107 tackles (3.5 for loss), 20 pass breakups, six interceptions and two forced fumbles in 44 games (30 starts). He helped Clemson to a 29-1 record in two years as a starter and started all 15 games in his first year as a starter in 2018, scoring the first points of the College Football Playoff National Championship on a pick-six.
A.J. is now entering his seventh season with the Falcons after being taken with the 16th overall pick in 2020. A 2021 All-Pro, he has recorded six interceptions, as well as 61 passes defended, six forced fumbles, one fumble recovery and 381 total tackles across 93 games (all starts) his NFL career so far. Before the 2024 season, he and the Falcons agreed on a four-year, $81 million contract extension, which will keep the 27-year-old under contract with Atlanta through the 2028 season. Last season, the Falcons named A.J. as their nominee for the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award, and he was surprised by his brother with the prestigious nomination.
The Terrell brothers have come full circle as they get ready for their first season as NFL teammates.
“With him being on the team, it kind of brings me back to when we first started playing in the backyard,” A.J. said.
You can check out the full Good Morning America feature on Avieon and A.J. below:
–Photo courtesy of Good Morning America on YouTube