Joseph Jonah-Ajonye injury update: Kirby Smart reveals season-ending surgery

Georgia true freshman defensive lineman Joseph Jonah-Ajonye will miss the rest of the 2024 season due to an injury, head coach Kirby Smart announced on Tuesday. No specific information was given by Smart but he did reveal surgery took place just after the Bulldogs faced Texas on Nov. 19.

“Joseph had to deal with a surgery that’s going to keep him out for the rest of the year,” Smart said. “He’s going to be out the rest of the year. He’s dealing with a lower extremity injury. He’s not going to be with us. He’s already had the surgery, he had the surgery after but he didn’t get to go to Texas because of the injury.”

Jonah-Ajonye was an early enrolee and has been with Georgia since January. His hope was to earn some early playing time and contribute up front, with some of his goals being accomplished. Despite just one tackle being recorded, Jonah-Ajonye played in four games. There is a quarterback hurry on the stat sheet during the season opener vs. Clemson.

If there is any desire to keep a year of eligibility and take a redshirt, Jonah-Ajonye could since he only saw action in those four games.

Jonah-Ajonye played high school football at Conroe (TX) Oak Ridge, where he was a five-star prospect. He was the No. 29 overall recruit in the 2024 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.

There is thought to be incredible potential there for Jonah-Ajonye, mainly due to his athleticism while weighing in at 6-4, 275 pounds. Georgia had to fight off other national programs to gain his commitment out of high school.

An injury presents a bump in the road but he should be back for the 2025 season.