South Georgia - In The Game High School Sports Magazine

Jonathan Hester is a 6’1”, 220-pound sophomore linebacker for the 1-AAAAA Valdosta High School Wildcats worthy of standout recognition. Despite his age, Jonathan has many athletic and scholastic credentials already established and he is dedicated to continuing that course.

Head coach Rick Tomberlin is currently in his fourth year at VHS. During that time, he says Jonathan is one of only two athletes to play for the varsity football team as a freshman. A sophomore now, Jonathan has received positive commentary from college coaches concerning his athletic and academic abilities. Jonathan says that is a great deal of inspiration.

His love for football goes as far back as early childhood, beginning in his backyard. He played on a little league team as well. “Our team went undefeated for two or three years straight,” he says proudly. He began playing for his school in fifth grade. He played in middle school as an outside and middle linebacker. In eighth grade, he was team captain, had two touchdowns on kick returns and his team won a championship. When he became a freshman, he appeared as the only ninth-grader on the varsity roster and started several games within that season.

Jonathan also played basketball and ran track in eighth grade. He credits some of his football skills to time spent on the court. “That’s what made my feet so quick,” he quips. Now, where sports are concerned, Jonathan focuses primarily on football. Coach Tomberlin recognizes the time and energy Jonathan puts into training, preparation and academics saying, “He’s a straight-A student… he’s an avid weightlifter, defensive starter and leader.”

Jonathan says his family is very supportive. His mother is Lisa Griffith, a radiology specialist at SGMC who also serves as co-pastor where the family attends church. She and Jonathan’s stepfather, Ezra Griffith, attend every game possible. Jonathan’s father, Perry Hester, who played football for Tift High, brother Jarrod, a VSU student, and little sister, Kristen, a VMS fifth-grader, each have a hand in Jonathan’s desire to excel. He said his biggest fan is his grandmother, Willa Foster. She has been a pastor at his family’s church for over 40 years. “My heart is my Gramma,” Jonathan says.

Peering into the future, Jonathan is considering Georgia, FSU, and Clemson as college goal prospects. He wants to pursue a career in criminal justice or a medical field. He added laughingly however that it would not hurt his feelings to have a career as a pro-football player. “I would love to play for the NFL,” he says.

Jonathan earned a GPA score of 4.0 in his freshman year. He has received an honor for Best Student in American Government, served three years as a student ambassador for the People to People program and is involved and active in his church. In his spare time, Jonathan loves to play video games, basketball at the YMCA, visit with family, and spend time with his pit bulldog, Rock.

Coach Tomberlin sums Jonathan Hester up saying, “He is a great student, great athlete, and has great character… a great representative of what we think a Valdosta Wildcat should be.” •