Joseph Jonah-Ajonye making name for himself with work ethic, 'motor for days'

ATHENS, Ga. — There’s few things that Kirby Smart loves more than good defense. That showed in Georgia’s top-ranked Class of 2024 with five On3 Industry five-stars. When you combine talent with the ability to develop a player into an even better version of themselves, that’s what gets Smart the most excited, and it’s a situation that’s presented itself with Joseph Jonah-Ajonye.

A Nigerian born product of Oak Ridge High School (Conroe, Texas), Jonah-Ajonye didn’t start playing football until his freshman year of high school. He had always dreamed of being a basketball star, but football came calling to the 6-foot-4, 275-pound athletic freak.

Jonah-Ajonye’s high school coaches recall questioning his age when they first met him. He looked 19 but was 14. They’re job after getting the paperwork filled out for him to play football was to stay out of the way.

“Joseph has a ton of potential, and he hasn’t even realized it yet,” his high school defensive coordinator Bear Murchison told DawgsHQ earlier this year. “What Joe has done is grown. At first, it was just lifting weights and playing football. He grew into the expectations, and he’s handled it pretty well.”

“I see him continuing to grow in that aspect,” he continued. “Between this year and last, you were almost dealing with a little kid who was a great kid. He didn’t know what he was walking around with. He’s going to do nothing but continue to grow under that Georgia staff. I wish I had another year with him. He’s a quality person, too. He’s come along with accepting that role, as well.”

Now in the hands of Tray Scott, Kirby Smart and the Georgia staff, the hope is his development continues. Keep in mind, he started playing football less than four years ago and is already considered a five-star. The potential is through the roof for Jonah-Ajonye.

“I don’t know how his development plays out,” Smart said during the third week of spring practice when asked about the freshman. “That would be remiss of me to sit here and tell you I know what this guy is going to become.”

“No defensive lineman comes in here and just dominates their freshman year. We haven’t had any. I think he can provide depth, I think he can get a lot better,” he added. “The good news is he’s getting a lot of work with Ty Ingram-Dawkins out, he’s getting 40 to 50 reps a day, which is huge for his development and getting better. He’s not having to sit over there – some of the mid-years get 20 to 25 reps – he’s getting 30 to 40 reps. I think it’s going to speed up his process and hopefully provide us some depth. I’m very pleased with where he is, but he’s not going to go out there and start for us next year with some of the guys we’ve got right now.”

The other good news for Georgia: the fact that Jonah-Ajonye wants to get better. According to offensive tackle Earnest Greene, there’s few moments where he sees the freshman not in action.

“Honestly, the biggest thing is want-to and work ethic,” Greene said. “That guy’s always getting after it, giving everything 110 miles an hour, 110 percent. It’s just a want-to and the fact that he’s buying into the program.”

NFL-bound defensive lineman Zion Logue got a taste of Jonah-Ajonye’s work ethic back in December as Georgia was preparing for the Orange Bowl against Florida State. He arrived early and spent time with the team in Miami. It was impressive to say the least.

“Shoot, Joe, he surprised me during bowl prep. Just some of the pass rush things he did,” Logue told reporters at UGA Pro Day. “For being 17 years old, man, he has a motor for days. Once he finally gets to his college weight and is moving around, he’s going to be good.”

Jonah-Ajonye isn’t the only freshman out there giving it his all. Other players have pointed to freshmen in their position groups as well – a good sign on the early returns for Georgia in the Class of 2024. Those youngsters will get their first feel for what it’s like to suit up between the hedges at Sanford Stadium this Saturday as the Bulldogs hold their first scrimmage. Then, two weeks later, there’s a bit more pressure with fans in the stands and all eyes on the newcomers at G-Day.

Kickoff to the annual spring game is set for April 13th at 1:00 p.m. ET on SEC Network+. Georgia passes the halfway point of spring practice this week with the eighth session on Thursday.