Jay Ajayi
refer to caption
Ajayi at the Eagles Super Bowl LII Victory Parade
No. 23, 36, 26, 28
Position:Running back
Personal information
Born: (1993-06-15) 15 June 1993 (age 30)
London, England
Height:6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Weight:223 lb (101 kg)
Career information
High school:Liberty (Frisco, Texas)
College:Boise State (2011–2014)
NFL Draft:2015 / Round: 5 / Pick: 149
Career history
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Rushing yards:2,546
Rushing average:4.5
Rushing touchdowns:13
Receptions:63
Receiving yards:419
Receiving touchdowns:1
Player stats at NFL.com · PFR

Jay Ajayi (born 15 June 1993) is an English-born former American football running back who played in the National Football League (NFL) for five seasons with the Miami Dolphins and Philadelphia Eagles. He played college football at Boise State University and was selected by the Dolphins in the fifth round of the 2015 NFL Draft. Ajayi spent three seasons with the Dolphins, earning Pro Bowl honors in 2016, before being traded to Philadelphia during the 2017 season. As a member of the Eagles, Ajayi was a member of the team that won the franchise's first Super Bowl title in Super Bowl LII. He struggled with injuries afterwards, leading to his 2022 retirement.

Early years

Ajayi was born in London, England, on 15 June 1993, to Nigerian parents and moved to Maryland in the United States when he was seven years old in 2000.[1][2] He eventually moved to Texas, where he attended Frisco Liberty High School.[3] As a senior on the football team, he rushed for 2,240 yards and had 35 touchdowns.[4] He also earned one varsity letter in track & field as a member of the 4 × 400-meter (3:21.75), 4 × 200 m (1:29.44), and 4 × 100 m (42.86) district championship teams.[5]

Considered a three-star recruit by Rivals.com, he was ranked as the 41st best running back prospect of his class.[6]

College career

Ajayi in 2013

Ajayi attended and played college football for Boise State from 2011 to 2014.[7] He was redshirted as a freshman at Boise State University in 2011. In October 2011, he was arrested for shoplifting after stealing a pair of sweatpants at a local Walmart and was later sentenced to five days in jail.[8] As a redshirt freshman in 2012, he played in 11 games. He had 82 rushes for 548 yards and four touchdowns, including 118 yards and a touchdown on just six carries against New Mexico in his second career game.[9][10] As a sophomore in 2013, he started 12 of 13 games and rushed for 100+ yards in six of them, including 24 carries for 222 yards and three touchdowns in game seven against Nevada.[11] He ended the season having carried the ball 249 times for 1,425 yards and 18 touchdowns.[12] As a junior in 2014, he became the first Boise State player to rush for 100+ yards in 10 games in a season, including two 200+ yard performances against Colorado State and Utah State.[13][14] He ended his season with a 134-yard, three touchdown performance in the Broncos' 38–30 victory over the Arizona Wildcats in the 2014 Fiesta Bowl.[15][16] He finished the season ranked fifth in the nation with a school-record 1,823 rushing yards and second nationally only to Wisconsin's Melvin Gordon with 28 rushing touchdowns (also a school record).[17][18] Ajayi finished his final season at Boise State having accounted for 41.3% of the team's total yards and touchdowns, third among running back prospects entering the 2015 NFL Draft, trailing only Melvin Gordon and Indiana's Tevin Coleman.[19] He was named a first-team All-Mountain West Conference selection for the second consecutive season and earned third-team All-American honors by the Associated Press.[20]

Jay Ajayi (left) playing for Boise State in 2013

On 21 December 2014, Ajayi announced that he would forgo his senior season and enter the 2015 NFL Draft.[21] He finished his collegiate career with 678 rushes for 3,796 yards and 50 rushing touchdowns, which ranked third, third, and tied for second on the Boise State career lists. He is the only player in Boise State history with three games of 200+ yards rushing.

Career statistics

Jay Ajayi Rushing Receiving
Season Team Att Yds Avg Lng TD Rec Yds TD
2012 Boise State 82 548 6.7 71 4 1 14 0
2013 Boise State 249 1,425 5.7 71 18 22 222 1
2014 Boise State 347 1,823 5.3 74 28 50 535 4
Career 678 3,796 5.6 74 50 73 771 5

Professional career

Pre-draft measurables
Height Weight Arm length Hand span 40-yard dash 10-yard split 20-yard split 20-yard shuttle Three-cone drill Vertical jump Broad jump Bench press
5 ft 11+3⁄4 in
(1.82 m) 		221 lb
(100 kg) 		32 in
(0.81 m) 		10 in
(0.25 m)		 4.57 s 1.59 s 2.66 s 4.10 s 7.10 s 39 in
(0.99 m)		 10 ft 1 in
(3.07 m)		 19 reps
All values from NFL Combine and Boise State Pro Day[22]

Miami Dolphins

2015 season

Ajayi was drafted in the fifth round of the 2015 NFL Draft with the 149th overall pick by the Miami Dolphins (traded from the Minnesota Vikings in exchange for Mike Wallace). He was the 14th of 22 running backs selected in that year's draft.[23] On 7 May 2015, the Dolphins signed him to a four-year, $2.50 million rookie contract, which included a signing bonus of $220,813.[24]

On 6 September 2015, Ajayi was placed on injured reserve/designated to return due to broken ribs he suffered in the Dolphins' last exhibition game.[25] On 8 November 2015, he made his NFL debut against the Buffalo Bills and rushed five times for 41 yards (8.2 average). He scored his first professional touchdown against the San Diego Chargers in a 30–14 defeat.[26] He finished his rookie season with 49 carries for 187 yards (3.8 average) and one touchdown. He also recorded seven receptions for 90 yards.[27][28]

2016 season

After the Dolphins lost starting running back Lamar Miller to the Houston Texans via free agency, Ajayi was appointed the de facto starter going into the season.[29] However, he was declared the backup after free agent running back Arian Foster supplanted him as the starter during training camp. After growing disgruntled, head coach Adam Gase deactivated him for the season opener and Ajayi was left in Miami as the team traveled for a road game against the Seattle Seahawks. He was activated the following week and had five carries for 14 yards against the New England Patriots after Foster was sidelined in the second half due to a groin injury.[30] After Foster's injury and eventual in-season retirement, Ajayi settled into a role as the Dolphins' lead running back.

Ajayi followed up a Week 6 204-yard and two touchdown performance against the Pittsburgh Steelers with a 214-yard and one touchdown effort against AFC East rival Buffalo in Week 7, becoming only the fourth player in NFL history along with O. J. Simpson (twice), Earl Campbell, and former Miami Dolphin Ricky Williams to rush for over two hundred yards in two consecutive games.[31][32][33][34] Ajayi was named AFC Offensive Player of the Week two weeks in a row for his 200+ rushing yards in back-to-back games in Weeks 6 and 7.[35][36] In Week 16, on Christmas Eve, Ajayi recorded a third 200-yard game, again at the expense of the Buffalo Bills, including a 57-yard rush to set Andrew Franks up to kick a game-winning field goal in overtime.[37] With his 32 carries for 206 yards and a touchdown, he became only the fourth player in NFL history to rush over 200 yards in three games in a single season,[38] and the only player to do it as early as his second season. As a result of his Week 16 performance, he became one of only 15 players in NFL history with three or more career 200+ yard rushing games. He earned AFC Offensive Player of the Week for the third time in the 2016 season.[39] In the 30–12 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers in the Wild Card Round of the playoffs, he had 16 carries for 33 yards in his playoff debut.[40] As a result of his successful season in 2016, he was named to the AFC roster for the 2017 Pro Bowl.[41] He was ranked 69th on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2017 list by his fellow players.[42]

2017 season

Ajayi entered the 2017 season as the Dolphins' top running back. The Dolphins did not play in Week 1 due to Hurricane Irma, so Ajayi made his season debut in Week 2 against the Los Angeles Chargers, where he had 28 carries for 122 yards in the 19–17 win.[43] After just 16 and 46 yards in Weeks 3 and 4, Ajayi rebounded for 77 yards against the Tennessee Titans and 130 yards against the Atlanta Falcons. He had just 74 yards total in his next two games, and through Week 8 was the only NFL rusher with 100+ carries yet to record a rushing touchdown.[44][45]

Philadelphia Eagles

Ajayi (right) and Fletcher Cox (left) celebrate at the Super Bowl LII Victory Parade in Philadelphia

2017 season

On 31 October 2017, Ajayi was traded to the Philadelphia Eagles for a 2018 fourth round draft pick.[46][47] In Ajayi's debut with the Eagles, he rushed for 77 yards on eight carries and one touchdown in a 51–23 rout of the Denver Broncos five days after being traded,[48] his longest being a 48-yard rush for a touchdown. In week 11 Ajayi rushed for 91 yards on 7 carries against the Dallas Cowboys, helping his team increase their record to 9–1. In the game he had a career high 71 yard rush in the third quarter.[49] The Eagles made the playoffs as the #1-seed in the NFC.[50][51] In the Divisional Round against the Atlanta Falcons, he had 54 rushing yards and 44 receiving yards in the 15–10 victory.[52] In the NFC Championship against the Minnesota Vikings, he finished with 73 rushing yards and 26 receiving yards in the 38–7 victory.[53] During Super Bowl LII against the New England Patriots, Ajayi rushed for 57 rushing yards as the Eagles won 41–33, giving them their first Super Bowl win in franchise history.[54][55]

2018 season

In the 2018 season opener against the Atlanta Falcons, Ajayi recorded his second career multi-touchdown game. He had 15 carries for 62 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns, with the second being the late go-ahead touchdown, in the 18–12 victory.[56] On 8 October 2018, Ajayi was placed on injured reserve after suffering a torn ACL during Week 5 against the Minnesota Vikings.[57][58] He finished the season with 184 rushing yards and three touchdowns.[59]

2019 season

Ajayi in a game against the Washington Redskins

Ajayi re-signed with the Eagles on 15 November 2019 after they placed running back Darren Sproles on injured reserve.[60] On 23 December he was released by the Eagles.[61] He appeared in three games and recorded 10 carries for 30 rushing yards.[62]

Retirement

On January 8, 2022, Ajayi announced his retirement from the NFL. That same evening, he was made the Eagles' honorary captain for the team's final regular season game against the Dallas Cowboys.[63]

NFL career statistics

Year Team Games Rushing Receiving
GP GS Att Yds Avg Lng TD Rec Yds Avg Lng TD
2015 MIA 9 0 49 187 3.8 1 0 11 7 90 12.9 0
2016 MIA 15 12 261 1,272 4.9 8 4 35 27 151 5.6 0
2017 MIA 7 7 138 465 3.4 0 1 20 14 67 4.8 0
PHI 7 1 70 408 5.8 1 2 14 10 91 9.1 1
2018 PHI 4 3 45 184 4.1 3 1 6 5 20 4.0 0
2019 PHI 3 0 10 30 3.0 0 0 1 0 0 0.0 0
Career 45 23 572 2,546 4.5 13 8 87 63 419 6.7 1

Esports career

On 7 January 2020, Ajayi was signed by Major League Soccer's Philadelphia Union as the club's esports player in eMLS League Series One.[64]

Personal life

Ajayi took part in the NFL's "My Cause, My Cleats" campaign in the 2016 season. The campaign allowed players to wear custom cleats supporting their favorite charities. His cause was multiple endocrine neoplasia.[65] He is a lifelong fan of Arsenal F.C. in the Premier League.[66]

References

  1. ^ Wixon, Matt. "Boise State commit, Frisco Liberty's Jay Ajayi is 'the real deal'". Dallas News. Archived from the original on 15 October 2014. Retrieved 17 September 2014.
  2. ^ Cripe, Chadd. "Boise, Meridian, Nampa, Caldwell news by Idaho Statesman". Idaho Statesman.[dead link]
  3. ^ Russel, Keith (2 February 2018). "Jay Ajayi's Run From Frisco Liberty HS To Super Bowl LII". CBS DFW. Archived from the original on 11 February 2018. Retrieved 10 February 2018.
  4. ^ "Jay Ajayi Bio". Boise State Broncos Athletics. Archived from the original on 7 October 2014.
  5. ^ "Jay Ajayi". trackingfootball.com. Archived from the original on 5 October 2015.
  6. ^ "Jay Ajayi". Rivals.com. Archived from the original on 22 December 2014. Retrieved 21 December 2014.
  7. ^ "Jay Ajayi College Stats". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Archived from the original on 11 February 2018. Retrieved 10 February 2018.
  8. ^ Rains, B. J. (17 August 2014). "TURNING POINT: Ajayi overcomes obstacles to find success at BSU". Idaho Press-Tribune. Archived from the original on 30 January 2015. Retrieved 9 October 2022.
  9. ^ "Boise State at New Mexico Box Score, September 29, 2012". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Archived from the original on 11 February 2018. Retrieved 10 February 2018.
  10. ^ "Jay Ajayi 2012 Game Log". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Archived from the original on 11 February 2018. Retrieved 10 February 2018.
  11. ^ "Nevada at Boise State Box Score, October 19, 2013". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Archived from the original on 11 February 2018. Retrieved 10 February 2018.
  12. ^ "Jay Ajayi 2013 Game Log". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Archived from the original on 11 February 2018. Retrieved 10 February 2018.
  13. ^ "Colorado State at Boise State Box Score, September 6, 2014". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Archived from the original on 11 February 2018. Retrieved 10 February 2018.
  14. ^ "Utah State at Boise State Box Score, November 29, 2014". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Archived from the original on 11 February 2018. Retrieved 10 February 2018.
  15. ^ Fischer, Bryan (31 December 2014). "Jay Ajayi, trick plays help Boise State win thrilling Fiesta Bowl". NFL.com. Archived from the original on 1 January 2015. Retrieved 9 October 2022.
  16. ^ "Fiesta Bowl – Boise State vs Arizona Box Score, December 31, 2014". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Archived from the original on 11 February 2018. Retrieved 10 February 2018.
  17. ^ "Jay Ajayi 2014 Game Log". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Archived from the original on 11 February 2018. Retrieved 10 February 2018.
  18. ^ "2014 Leaders". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Archived from the original on 12 February 2015. Retrieved 10 February 2018.
  19. ^ "Jay Ajayi Advanced Stats and Metrics Profile – College Dominator Rating". PlayerProfiler.com. Archived from the original on 3 February 2017. Retrieved 2 February 2017.
  20. ^ "Ajayi named Associated Press third-team All-American". Idaho Press-Tribune. 16 December 2014. Archived from the original on 19 March 2022. Retrieved 9 October 2022.
  21. ^ Gemmell, Kevin (21 December 2014). "Boise State Broncos RB Jay Ajayi to enter draft". ESPN.com. Archived from the original on 7 January 2015. Retrieved 9 October 2022.
  22. ^ "*Jay Ajayi – Boise State, RB : 2015 NFL Draft Scout Player Profile". nfldraftscout.com. Archived from the original on 21 August 2016. Retrieved 2 May 2015.
  23. ^ "2015 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on 22 October 2018. Retrieved 10 February 2018.
  24. ^ "Jay Ajayi". Spotrac.com. Archived from the original on 19 November 2015. Retrieved 18 November 2015.
  25. ^ Kelly, Omar (2 November 2015). "Dolphins must take Ajayi off IR this week". Sun-Sentinel. Archived from the original on 30 June 2021. Retrieved 28 October 2016.
  26. ^ "Miami Dolphins at San Diego Chargers – December 20th, 2015". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on 3 February 2018. Retrieved 10 February 2018.
  27. ^ "Jay Ajayi 2015 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on 11 February 2018. Retrieved 10 February 2018.
  28. ^ "Jay Ajayi". ESPN.com. Archived from the original on 16 February 2016. Retrieved 9 February 2016.
  29. ^ Sessler, Marc (8 August 2016). "Dolphins list Jay Ajayi starter over Arian Foster". NFL.com. Archived from the original on 28 October 2016. Retrieved 28 October 2016.
  30. ^ Beasley, Adam (9 September 2016). "Jay Ajayi left in Miami for opener against Seahawks". Miami Herald. Archived from the original on 29 October 2016. Retrieved 28 October 2016.
  31. ^ "Pittsburgh Steelers at Miami Dolphins – October 16th, 2016". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on 11 February 2018. Retrieved 10 February 2018.
  32. ^ "Buffalo Bills at Miami Dolphins – October 23rd, 2016". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on 5 October 2020. Retrieved 10 February 2018.
  33. ^ Walker, James (20 October 2016). "Dolphins RB Jay Ajayi wants to avoid becoming a 'one-hit wonder'". ESPN.com. Archived from the original on 23 October 2016. Retrieved 24 October 2016.
  34. ^ Walker, James (23 October 2016). "Dolphins have an unexpected star emerging in Jay Ajayi". ESPN.com. Archived from the original on 24 October 2016. Retrieved 24 October 2016.
  35. ^ "2016 NFL Week 6 Leaders & Scores". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on 9 May 2022. Retrieved 10 October 2022.
  36. ^ "2016 NFL Week 7 Leaders & Scores". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on 27 September 2022. Retrieved 10 October 2022.
  37. ^ "Miami Dolphins at Buffalo Bills – December 24th, 2016". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on 19 January 2018. Retrieved 10 February 2018.
  38. ^ Perrotto, John (24 December 2016). "Dolphins Thinking Playoffs Thanks To Ajayi". www.fanragsports.com. Archived from the original on 4 August 2017. Retrieved 25 December 2016.
  39. ^ "2016 NFL Week 16 Leaders & Scores". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on 28 March 2018. Retrieved 10 October 2022.
  40. ^ "Wild Card – Miami Dolphins at Pittsburgh Steelers – January 8th, 2017". Pro Football Reference. 8 January 2017. Archived from the original on 15 October 2017. Retrieved 23 June 2017.
  41. ^ "2016 NFL Pro Bowlers". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on 17 March 2018. Retrieved 10 October 2022.
  42. ^ "2017 NFL Top 100". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on 6 November 2020. Retrieved 10 October 2022.
  43. ^ "Miami Dolphins at Los Angeles Chargers – September 17th, 2017". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on 29 October 2017. Retrieved 1 November 2017.
  44. ^ "Jay Ajayi 2017 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on 8 November 2017. Retrieved 5 June 2019.
  45. ^ "100+ rush attempts, Weeks 1–8, 2017 season". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on 7 November 2017. Retrieved 5 June 2019.
  46. ^ Patra, Kevin (31 October 2017). "Dolphins trade Jay Ajayi to Eagles for 2018 draft pick". NFL.com. Archived from the original on 3 November 2017. Retrieved 9 October 2022.
  47. ^ Patra, Kevin (5 November 2017). "Jay Ajayi to play limited role in first game with Eagles". NFL.com. Archived from the original on 7 November 2017. Retrieved 5 November 2017.
  48. ^ Alper, Josh (6 November 2017). "Jay Ajayi has electric Eagles debut". Pro Football Talk – NBC Sports. Archived from the original on 9 November 2017. Retrieved 6 November 2017.
  49. ^ "Philadelphia Eagles at Dallas Cowboys – November 19th, 2017". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on 2 January 2018. Retrieved 10 February 2018.
  50. ^ "2017 Philadelphia Eagles Statistics & Players". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on 26 January 2018. Retrieved 10 February 2018.
  51. ^ "2017 NFL Standings & Team Stats". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved 10 February 2018.
  52. ^ "Divisional Round – Atlanta Falcons at Philadelphia Eagles – January 13th, 2018". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on 18 January 2018. Retrieved 10 February 2018.
  53. ^ "NFC Championship – Minnesota Vikings at Philadelphia Eagles – January 21st, 2018". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on 4 February 2018. Retrieved 10 February 2018.
  54. ^ "Super Bowl LII – Philadelphia Eagles vs. New England Patriots – February 4th, 2018". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on 1 March 2018. Retrieved 10 February 2018.
  55. ^ Wesseling, Chris (4 February 2018). "Philadelphia Eagles win Super Bowl LII". NFL.com. Archived from the original on 5 April 2020. Retrieved 4 February 2018.
  56. ^ "Eagles stop Ryan to Jones again, beat Falcons 18–12". USA TODAY. Associated Press. 7 September 2018. Archived from the original on 1 October 2018. Retrieved 1 October 2018.
  57. ^ Foley, Graham (8 October 2018). "Eagles Place RB Jay Ajayi On Injured Reserve". PhiladelphiaEagles.com. Archived from the original on 9 October 2018. Retrieved 9 October 2022.
  58. ^ McManus, Tim (8 October 2018). "Eagles RB Ajayi tears ACL, another blow to offense that is struggling". ESPN.com. Archived from the original on 9 October 2018. Retrieved 9 October 2022.
  59. ^ "Jay Ajayi 2018 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on 28 January 2020. Retrieved 1 March 2019.
  60. ^ Gowton, Brandon Lee (15 November 2019). "Eagles sign Jay Ajayi, place Darren Sproles on injured reserve". Bleeding Green Nation. SB Nation. Archived from the original on 19 March 2022. Retrieved 9 October 2022.
  61. ^ Gowton, Brandon Lee (23 December 2019). "Report: Eagles waiving Jay Ajayi with Jordan Howard set to return". Bleeding Green Nation. SB Nation. Archived from the original on 24 December 2019. Retrieved 9 October 2022.
  62. ^ "Jay Ajayi 2019 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on 28 January 2020. Retrieved 28 January 2020.
  63. ^ Erby, Glenn (8 January 2022). "Former Eagles RB Jay Ajayi to retire from the NFL". TheEaglesWire.com. Archived from the original on 6 February 2023. Retrieved 6 February 2023.
  64. ^ Tannenwald, Jonathan (7 January 2020). "Former Eagle Jay Ajayi joins Union as team's official esports FIFA gamer". www.inquirer.com. Archived from the original on 8 January 2020. Retrieved 10 October 2022.
  65. ^ "NFL puts best feet forward during 'My Cause, My Cleats' weekend". Orlando Sentinel. 3 December 2016. Archived from the original on 9 July 2021. Retrieved 17 May 2017.
  66. ^ "WATCH: NFL star Jay Ajayi picks out his favourite Premier League striker". Sky Sports. 30 June 2017. Archived from the original on 17 July 2017. Retrieved 30 June 2017.

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Jay Ajayi.
Miami Dolphins 2015 NFL Draft selections
Philadelphia Eagles Super Bowl LII champions
Categories