In spite of having an ACL injury, Zenon is enjoying his bowl experience

MIAMI — Georgia Tech redshirt senior A-Back and Deerfield-Windsor product Tony Zenon tore his ACL in the ACC Championship Game against Florida State and will not play the Orange Bowl. However, that hasn’t dampened his enthusiasm and enjoyment of the experience in Miami with his teammates.

“My experience in Miami has been awesome. I’ve never been to Miami before so it’s been great to be here,” Zenon said Monday. “It’s my last time being here with my teammates so I’m just trying to enjoy it and take it one day at a time.”

Zenon played a significant role in the Yellow Jackets’ success this season. The former DWS stand out started 12 of 13 games at the A-Back position. He averaged 6.5 yards per carry on 45 attempts, rushing for a total of 293 yards and four touchdowns. He also averaged 20.1 yards per catch on 8 receptions for 161 yards and one touchdown.

During his career as a Yellow Jacket, Zenon has played in 34 games and accumulated a total of 874 all-purpose yards. Before his injury in the ACC Championship game, Zenon had one carry for six yards. In spite of being injured in that contest, Zenon said he will always cherish the experience.

“Playing in the ACC Championship Game was awesome,” Zenon said. “It was unfortunate that I got hurt, but it was good to see my team go out there and compete against a very good Florida State team.”

His ACL injury was the third injury for the Jackets in three straight games, the first two being A-Back Broderick Snoddy’s broken leg against Clemson and wide receiver DeAndre Smelter’s torn ACL against Georgia.

In spite of those injuries and losing to Florida State in the ACC Championship, Georgia Tech finished a strong 10-3 and awaits 10-2 Mississippi State in the Capital One Orange Bowl on New Years Eve.

“I feel it was a really great season, but I’m hurt. Right now, I’m just supporting my teammates, and hopefully we’ll get the win,” Zenon said.

According to his high school coach, Allen Lowe, Zenon is a tremendous success story.

“Tony Zenon was an extraordinary football player and a great student as well. He is a success story from everything that he has gone through in his life to what he has accomplished on the football field,”Lowe said.

A Dean’s List student, Zenon doesn’t have plans to play football after college.

“I plan on getting a job. I’m in the process of getting interviews now, so I’m just waiting on feedback from those jobs to get back with me,” Zenon said.