Family driven

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VIENNA, Ga. | Antonneous ClaytonClick Here to view this Link. has been described as a 40-year-old in a 17-year-old's body.

For certain, his football playing skills are advanced for a rising high school senior, but it's his maturity on and off the field that may be his most striking characteristic.

"Tony is a real good kid," Dooly County head coach Jimmy Hughes said. "He's got both his parents at home and they're hard-working people. They instilled the work ethic in him that shows up on the practice field, the weight room and the classroom as well.

"He's real mindful of the youngsters around him, wanting to be a role model."

For Clayton, his motivations derive from his family, wanting to please his parents and set a positive example for a younger brother and sister.

"I just want to be successful as an individual. Just to have them all proud of me, that's enough in itself," said Clayton, who aspires to be a pediatrician or orthodontist after his football career ends.

"I'm just trying to show them that no matter where you come from anything is possible as long as you work hard for it."

Clayton grew up in Vienna, Ga., playing more basketball than football. In fact, he gave up football in the ninth grade until his uncle talked him into returning the next year.

"He told me I have the potential to be the best player that I want to be," Clayton said. "I've got the body, the weight, the mindset -- everything I need. He told me I've just got to want it.

"I really thought about it and my family situation and I said to myself, 'I've got to do this. I have to.' It's kind of like my destiny to do this."

Clayton's uncle was right.

A solid sophomore season was followed up by a breakout junior year in which Clayton finished with 72 tackles, 22 tackles-for-loss, 16 sacks, six forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries.

"He's an outstanding pass rusher because he's so fast and quick," Hughes said. "He's been timed at a 4.59, he verticals 38, 39 inches, his standing broad jump is nearly 10 feet and he has a wingspan of a guy that's 6-8. He's been blessed with some things but a lot of that comes with the work he puts in."

Clayton, who is 6-foot-4 and fluctuates between 218 and 224 pounds, hasn't come close to reaching his potential according to Hughes.

"He's got a long way to go before he peaks," he said. "I think he can probably carry 30 or 40 more pounds of muscle and still maintain his speed. He's learning to use his hands and how to keep his body away from offensive linemen. That's going to really make him better."

Not surprisingly, Clayton has seen his recruitment take off over the past year. He's up to a dozen offers including Auburn, Alabama, Florida, Tennessee, Ole Miss, Mississippi State, Kentucky, Clemson, Georgia Tech and Michigan State.

Coaches from all those schools and many more have dropped by Dooly County this spring.

"They all are magnificent programs. It's hard, really hard," Clayton said.

Clayton said Auburn, Florida, Alabama, Ole Miss and Tennessee are the five school that stand out the most right now. Two of those stand out even higher.

"It has to be Florida and Auburn," he said. "Everyday I get something from Florida, everyday I get something from Auburn."

Clayton visited Florida for the first time last weekend.

"I grew up liking Florida and I watched a lot of Dante Fowler. He's been my idol, him and Vic Beasley from Clemson, the way they get off the edge."

He will visit Auburn for the first time for Big Cat Weekend on May 30. Clayton is already very familiar with the school thanks to his cousin and former teammate, Montravius Adams, who signed with Auburn out of Dooly County in 2013.

"Montravius has been saying a lot of good stuff about Auburn so it's getting me hyped up about my decision," Clayton said. "I'm really looking forward to meeting the players and seeing the whole environment. They're going to do a lot of fun events and I'm going to meet a lot of recruits such as me who may be planning on going there. It will be really good."

Clayton is also developing a good relationship with Auburn defensive coordinator Will Muschamp, who visited his school earlier this spring along with Rodney Garner.

"Coach Mushchamp told me that he's going to work me hard so I might as well get ready for that. He said he's going to develop me both as a student and an athlete," Clayton said. "He said he wants to sign one dominant pass rusher and that pass rusher is me.

"When he told me that I got so excited."

Clayton plans to have a decision during his senior season. When it comes to recruiting, Adams gave him some early advice he took to heart.

"He told me not to get the big head and always stay humble," Clayton said. "It's a blessing. Not many kids are in the position I am right now."