How A.J. Terrell mentored his brother, draft prospect Avieon

SANDY SPRINGS, Ga. -- Avieon Terrell waited by the gate for his older brother, A.J., to come off the football field. Tears started to well up in his eyes. It was his turn.

Aundell and Aliya, the boys' parents, knew exactly what Avieon wanted, because it was a scene that played out after most of the 7-year-old A.J.'s games and practices. Avieon couldn't wait to put on his big brother's uniform.

"He's so small, big helmet, and he's crying because he wants to put the helmet on, put the shoulder pads on," Aundell, their father, recalled to ESPN. "So, he's walking and people looking at us like, 'He's too small for that.' But it's OK, this is going to keep him quiet."

Get ready for the 2026 NFL draft

Avieon eventually got his own uniforms. Those looked a lot like A.J.'s, as well. Avieon followed in his brother's football footsteps, starring at both of his alma maters: Westlake (Atlanta) High School and Clemson.

Now, it's Avieon's turn as a pro. On April 23, he is expected to be selected in the first round of the 2026 NFL draft. Avieon plays cornerback, like his brother. A.J., though, is privately hoping Avieon doesn't end up like him this time -- being drafted by the Atlanta Falcons. The Falcons do not have a first-round pick, in any case, but A.J. believes it's time for his little brother to carve out his own path.

"I want to play against him and see him walk on the sideline," A.J. said. "I want to see him play and I want him to have his own story somewhere else. I don't want the narrative to be the Terrell brothers."

Avieon knows he has been in A.J.'s shadow. He felt the weight of expectations with every accomplishment. A.J. was a high school All-American, then first-team All-ACC at Clemson, then the No. 16 pick in the 2020 draft for their hometown team, the Falcons.

"My mindset at that time was, a lot of pressure," Avieon said. "It was a lot of pressure. At that time, it was just, all right, I'm going to go out here and prove everyone wrong."

At clinics, camps and workouts, Aundell remembers Avieon being pointed out by other parents and coaches because of who his brother was.

"It was a mindset thing walking through the door with Avieon with somebody saying, 'Hey, I want to go against him,'" Aundell said. "A.J. didn't have to worry about that. He just kind of did it, and it was like, 'Oh, OK. Who is that kid? OK, he's pretty tall.' But Avieon had to deal with the next father telling [his kid], 'Hey, you want to shine today, you need to beat that kid over there.'"