Hezekiah Millender, a 3-star quarterback at Clarke Central High School, has caught the attention of the local community and college football recruiting with his recent commit to the University of Georgia.

After transferring to Clarke Central from Goodyear, Arizona, Millender has backed up his skills with results. He was named the Region 8-AAAAA Player of the Year in November.

Q: What was it that led you to choose UGA over other programs? Kind of like your “I’ve got to be here” moment?

A: Just being at the UMass game and seeing the hospitality of everybody; it really made me feel at home.

Q: What excites you most about playing for Georgia?

A: Staying here. I’m a big family guy.

Q: To follow up with that, who would you say is your biggest inspiration?

A: My dad. He played high school ball. (His father, Javee Millender, played football at Peoria High School and Dysart High School.)

Q: What were conversations like with the Georgia offensive coaches that convinced you, and did you take an official visit?

A: No, I didn’t take an official visit. I went up there for a couple practices and went up to the game and just having the opportunity to play on a spot like that and just play in front of people. Just being blessed with the opportunity and ready to compete.

Q: What’s the pressure like knowing that you’re playing for such a prestigious program in the SEC?

A: Just being able to get my body right and being able to quicken up a couple things. Just putting in the work. They have a lot of the quarterbacks there, and I’m just ready to compete.

Avery Woodard is a junior majoring in communication studies.