Three short weeks after being backup to veteran running back Arian Foster who retired Monday night, Jay Ajayi finds himself as the sixth leading rusher in the NFL with 535 yards and has the highest average yards per carry at 6.4. Since filling in for an injured Foster in Week 6, Ajayi taken advantage of the opportunity, rushing for 418 yards and three touchdowns over the span of just two games for the Miami Dolphins while averaging 7.7 yards per carry.
Though Ajayi may be a stranger to most NFL fans, he certainty isn’t a stranger to success. Long before his newfound NFL success, Ajayi was a running back for the Liberty Redhawks in Frisco, Texas. While it’s not surprising to see dominant running backs emerge from the Lone Star State, Ajayi’s case was a little bit different, especially considering he was born in London, England. Though he was born across the pond, he quickly achieved great things in American Football.
Over his two varsity seasons at Liberty, Ajayi rushed for 3,867 yards and 55 touchdowns as he helped lead the Redhawks to the third round of playoffs in both years. He was also named to the Second-Team All State team following his senior year. After his incredibly accomplished career in Frisco, Ajayi accepted a scholarship to continue his playing career at Boise State. Though being about 1,500 miles from his Frisco home, Ajayi was able to continue his road to fame while in Idaho. After being redshirted his freshman year, Ajayi quickly found a role in the Broncos offense once given the opportunity. He finished his redshirt freshman season as the teams second leading rusher with 584 yards and set the programs single season record for yards per carry with 6.68.
Over the next two seasons at Boise State, Ajayi would continue to build on an already impressive resume of accomplishments. He was named First-Team All Mountain West in consecutive seasons and finished his career ranked in the top 10 of nine different statistical categories, including rushing touchdowns and 200 yard games, both of which he ranks second. After posting 3,796 rushing yards and 4,583 total yards after his three seasons with the Broncos, Ajayi forwent his senior season and declared for the 2015 NFL Draft. When the Miami Dolphins selected him in the fifth round, Ajayi was the 14th running back selected in the draft and the 149th selection overall. Ajayi, who has already rushed for 200+ yards in consecutive games, will try to continue his streak of success when the Dolphins host the New York Jets on November 6th.
