Ayo Oyelola is amongst four players to have been allocated to NFL teams as part of the league’s International Pathway programme.

Originally from East London, the defensive line backer only took up the sport five years ago during his time at the university. A promising athlete from a young age, Ayo had been linked with several professional football clubs and at 18 faced a choice between pursuing a career in sport or continuing his education, choosing to pursue his lifelong dream of graduating from law school.

It was during his time at Nottingham, that American Football first caught the talented sportsman’s eye. Browsing online, he spotted YouTube highlights of New York Giant’s star Saquon Barkley and was instantly inspired.

After graduating in 2020, Ayo focussed full-time on the sport and has overcome a series of challenges, including a complete freeze on sporting action during the pandemic to make it to the world’s highest profile sporting league.

He was spotted by NFL International and signed up to their International Player Pathway Program (IPP). Final exams finished, he headed out to Florida for training with some of the top NFL coaches and scouts – all held behind closed doors due to ongoing restrictions.

His first stint in the IPP didn’t lead to a NFL spot – instead he was drafted to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in the Canadian Football League – the world’s second professional league. This turned out to be a fortuitous move – the side won the Grey Cup – the CFL title – with Oyelola a key defensive figure throughout the season.

Returning to London, he re-joined the IPP and then flew out to train in New Jersey where he received the news last week that he’d been signed to the Jaguars NFL roster.

Congratulations Ayo!

You can read the full story on the UoN Sport website.