'12 FL RB Dami Ayoola (Illinois Verbal)

[Ironman8]

Running Back
Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
St. Thomas Aquinas

Ht: 5'10"
Wt: 201 lbs
40: 4.56 secs
Bench Reps: 21
Shuttle: 4.22
Vertical: 29 inches

RANKINGS:
ESPN: NR
Rivals: NR
Scout: NR

OFFERS:
Notre Dame
Auburn
Boston College
Duke
Illinois
Iowa
Memphis
Minnesota
Rutgers
South Florida
UCF
Wake Forest
Wisconsin

Soph Year:
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Junior Year:
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[Ironman8]

Per Rivals:

This past week, Fort Lauderdale (Fla.) St. Thomas Aquinas running back Dami Ayoola landed his 14th offer when Tony Alford of Notre Dame dropped by the school.

“I came down to the football office and I didn’t really expect an offer from them,” Ayoola said of Alford’s visit. “When I got down there with him and my coach, I was asked if I had been offered by Notre Dame and I said no. He then said, ‘You now are’.”

The 5-foot-10, 201-pound back said that the experience of landing that offer was pretty significant.

“It was amazing,” Ayoola said. “Notre Dame is just a school with such great tradition.”

That being said, Ayoola made it clear that the offer didn’t stand out any differently than any of his other offers at this point. In addition to Notre Dame, he holds offers from Auburn, Boston College, Central Florida, Duke, Florida International, Illinois, Iowa, Memphis, Minnesota, Rutgers, South Florida, Wake Forest, and Wisconsin.

All of those schools will have to wait to see where they stand, as Ayoola said that his recruitment is on the back-burner until spring practice concludes later this month.

“Right now I am just focused on playing football and dealing with the spring,” Ayoola said. “I will sit down and think about my top six or seven around midway through the summer. Right now it is still up in the air who will make that cut. I am not really focused on that right now. I am just worrying about our team as a whole.”

“Spring is going really good,” Ayoola added. “I am getting after it really well. We are just competing every day and trying to get better. I am trying to do everything I need to do before the season starts so that I can help lead my team and be prepared to play college football.”

When it comes time to narrow down his list and decide on some favorites, amongst the characteristics he will be looking for in his future team is their offensive system. He talked about how he sees himself fitting into Brian Kelly’s offense at Notre Dame.

“I am a pro-style guy but Notre Dame is Notre Dame,” Ayoola said. “I am looking at how the school uses their players and how they utilize their backs. I am going to base my decision off of that.”

Ayoola indicated that he believes Florida State, Miami, Michigan State, North Carolina, and West Virginia are all close to offering him.

As a junior, Ayoola finished with 750 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns despite missing two games with a high ankle sprain. He also caught three touchdown passes.

 

[Old Man Mike]

Big Florida schools sleeping on this young man, but not Auburn nor Wisconsin....bit of a puzzle.

 

[GBdomer]

I would love too see St. Thomas Aquinas kid its a Notre Dame pipe line and i am glad to see BK going after him.

 

[D-BOE34]

Another RB recruit I feel good about if Wood gets plenty of touches this year and has success. That could be the difference between landing 2 big time RB's or not.

 

[Riddickulous]

Well, that's certainly an encouraging article there.

 

[beryirish]

I would love too see St. Thomas Aquinas kid its a Notre Dame pipe line and i am glad to see BK going after him.

Just hope this doesn't take us down the Giovanni Bernard Ave.

 

[Sherm Sticky]

I would love too see St. Thomas Aquinas kid its a Notre Dame pipe line and i am glad to see BK going after him.

It was a Notre Dame pipeline, but we have been striking out there badly in recent years.

 

[BGIF]

It was a Notre Dame pipeline, but we have been striking out there badly in recent years.

STA was an ND pipeline only in the minds of some ND fans. I can think of Bobby Brown, Young, Wenger, and Turk. Young and Wenger were in the same class. Turk was a younger teammate. Brown was about a decade earlier.

I think of STA as a feeder to the Florida schools principally Miami and FSU over the years. STA alumni have played (and starred) at OSU, BC, UGA, UNC, UTN, WIS, USN, MSU, NCS, and lot of others schools. We didn't have a pipeline, we merely siphoned off a little in 3 different years.

 

[BGIF]

Premium Article

Premium Article

Ayoola taking his time
Chris Nee Rivals.com Football Recruiting
August 6, 2011

Fort Lauderdale (Fla.) St. Thomas Aquinas running back Dami Ayoola has nearly 20 verbal offers, but so far just one has become official with a school sending it in a written form. Ayoola is willing to wait for his mail though, as he is in no rush with his recruitment.

Interesting that since August 1st when verbal offers could be issued he's only gotten one. I'll bet there are a lot of prospects whose verbal and written offers don't match this year.

 

[Sherm Sticky]

STA was an ND pipeline only in the minds of some ND fans. I can think of Bobby Brown, Young, Wenger, and Turk. Young and Wenger were in the same class. Turk was a younger teammate. Brown was about a decade earlier.

I think of STA as a feeder to the Florida schools principally Miami and FSU over the years. STA alumni have played (and starred) at OSU, BC, UGA, UNC, UTN, WIS, USN, MSU, NCS, and lot of others schools. We didn't have a pipeline, we merely siphoned off a little in 3 different years.

Cowart also. But, you are definitely correct in your assessment.

 

[GBdomer]

Visiting for guess which game. Huge news.

 

[Whiskeyjack]

Another kid with an elite offer list but not a single service has given him a 4th .

 

[calvegas04]

Another kid with an elite offer list but not a single service has given him a 4th .

ND is the only real elite school to offer him

 

[Whiskeyjack]

ND is the only real elite school to offer him

You're right; I confused interest with offers. 247 showing offers from Auburn and Wisky though.

 

[IrishLax]

Honestly not a huge fan of his film. Seems like a strong, stout runner but really lacks any kind of home run ability... in fact he barely has enough speed to turn the corner in high school. Throw in the fact that he is playing for a world beater program and I'd expect to see better highlights. Definitely a good DI prospect, but I see no case for the 4 discussion.

You have to think this is an either/or situation with Ayoola and Mahone.

 

[Praytorian]

Good sized legs!

 

[cape cod]

STA was an ND pipeline only in the minds of some ND fans. I can think of Bobby Brown, Young, Wenger, and Turk. Young and Wenger were in the same class. Turk was a younger teammate. Brown was about a decade earlier.

I think of STA as a feeder to the Florida schools principally Miami and FSU over the years. STA alumni have played (and starred) at OSU, BC, UGA, UNC, UTN, WIS, USN, MSU, NCS, and lot of others schools. We didn't have a pipeline, we merely siphoned off a little in 3 different years.

Bill and Jim Zloch were also both from STA.
Bill was the starting QB at STA the same year that they had a star RB by the name of Brian Piccolo.

 

[Irish52]

Why are we interested in a RB who runs the 40 in 4.56?? If a recruit tells me he is not any more interested in the ND offer than any others he has, I couldn't drop the offer fast enough. What the hell are we doing? We are pursuing the best in the country right now. Why do we even bother with this guy?

 

[The Polish Irishman]

Why are we interested in a RB who runs the 40 in 4.56?? If a recruit tells me he is not any more interested in the ND offer than any others he has, I couldn't drop the offer fast enough. What the hell are we doing? We are pursuing the best in the country right now. Why do we even bother with this guy?

Never judge recruits on their 40 time. Brandon Spikes from UF ran a 5.0 at the combine and was an All American.

 

[DaBLKIrishman]

Why are we interested in a RB who runs the 40 in 4.56?? If a recruit tells me he is not any more interested in the ND offer than any others he has, I couldn't drop the offer fast enough. What the hell are we doing? We are pursuing the best in the country right now. Why do we even bother with this guy?

A 4.56 40 isn't blazing but it's definitely an adequate time for a RB. Didn't Mark Ingram run a 4.6 at the combine. I'm just saying.

 

[GBdomer]

Why are we interested in a RB who runs the 40 in 4.56?? If a recruit tells me he is not any more interested in the ND offer than any others he has, I couldn't drop the offer fast enough. What the hell are we doing? We are pursuing the best in the country right now. Why do we even bother with this guy?

are you kidding me? If he has offers from Iowa and Wisconsin who pound the ball with the best of them. Auburn offered this kid and i know Florida and Alabama have been recruiting him not sure if an offer has been forth coming. He has the same offer list as Mahone basically. He plays on one of the best high school teams in the country and some of the best of the best down in Florida..James White wasn't highly recruited coming out of STA and look at him now? Not to bad is he? 4.56? Thats fast watch his film he has a lot of burst. Thats my opinion but for you to sit here and bash a kid telling him we should drop his offer is crazy to me. ill take his verbal right now if he wanted too. Unreal.

 

[BGIF]

Bill and Jim Zloch were also both from STA.
Bill was the starting QB at STA the same year that they had a star RB by the name of Brian Piccolo.

I knew about Pic but didn't connect, Bill, Jim, nor Chuck Zloch with STA. Thanks

 

[BeauBenken]

I knew about Pic but didn't connect, Bill, Jim, nor Chuck Zloch with STA. Thanks

Holy ****. Did someone just teach BGIF something?

 

[BGIF]

Why are we interested in a RB who runs the 40 in 4.56??

Probably for the same reason Holtz offered Lee Becton, you've heard of him, haven't you? Becton ran for over 2000 yds at ND. Autry Denson wasn't a burner but he could find a seam, and make the first guy miss. And he did for over 4000 yds.

If a recruit tells me he is not any more interested in the ND offer than any others he has, I couldn't drop the offer fast enough.

Cerrato and Holtz didn't drop 18 year old kids mulling over lifetime choices at a tender age. We're damn lucky to have Kelly, Alford, Diaco, and company and their tenacious style of recruiting. Every year ND gets recruits that make their decisions in November, December, January, right up to the morning of National Signing Day. With you as a recruiter ND wouldn't have Te'o, Lynch, Tuitt, and more than half the team.

What the hell are we doing? We are pursuing the best in the country right now. Why do we even bother with this guy?

Are we really pursuing the best in the country? Not in all cases, probably not in most cases, as quite a few of the best in the country every year can't get passed ND Admissions. Some of them wouldn't last a semester with Residential Life much less the rigors of the ND classroom. Then there are others who can meet the qualifications but have made the decision to stay home and play ball for Homestate U.

ND recruits the best athletes that also have the character, academic qualifications, and wherewithal to succeed both on the field AND in the classroom. It's a difficult combination to find but it's something most ND fans comprehend.

If you can't show respect for recruits (and their families) you would do ND a service by NOT posting in recruit profiles.

 

[Riddickulous]

Holy ****. Did someone just teach BGIF something?

Sometimes he malfunctions. He's a supercomputer given artificial intelligence and a vast reservoir of college football facts and statistics. Also Notre Dame fandom. Androids in the future will all root for Notre Dame. Watch.

 

[GainesvilleIrish]

Looks like a decent running back, but a bit worried that the big 3 of Florida in UF, FSU nor Miami have offered. I think BK & staff have to have their reasons for offering though.

 

[Old Man Mike]

This young man has to be, in Notre Dame terms, really good. In order to post emotively in opposition to the Staff's choices about alleged deficiencies in a recruits abilities, one must assume two things: 1). the Staff are fools; 2). the contrary poster is far smarter than they are. It would seem to me to be a difficult assignment to defend either proposition.

Now, does that mean that no "contrarianism" should be posted on Irish Envy?? Of course not. But should not such baffled inquiry be phrased with great humility and perhaps even as searching questions?? Example: " Fellows: this Ayoola guy must be a good back, but I'm worried about his 40 time ... or his size ... or his maiden aunt twice removed ... or whatever has flashed [usually superficially] into mind. What do the rest of you think about that??" Such an approach seems to me to have several "healthy" features:
1). It does not demean the recruit;
2). It asks for clarifying and theoretically helpful information, thereby stimulating our knowledgeable brain-trust to be of service;
3). The poster does not embarrass himself by sounding like an ego-centric knee-jerk reactionary, but rather as a thoughtful addition to IE;
4). no harm is done to the recruiting process;
5]. The whole affair shows greater class, ND-style.

We fall into this juvenile-ness all the time here [perhaps it is an unwelcome flow-over from the general uncivilized lack-of-discourse which characterizes the Internet]. But we shouldn't, particularly when it comes to recruits [though the place itself is far pleasanter when we don't flame at ourselves either]. All the heavyweight thoughtful posters on here [BGIF, TerryTate,NDinLA,etc --- you know who they are --- and doubtless, in his secret eyrie, JPHAM] have been tirelessly cautioning us about this for a long time. We should rein ourselves in a bit, admit who we are and are not, and be supportive of the Notre Dame recruiting process.

Dami Ayoola HAS to be REAL good. Can't we at least start with that??

 

[NDdomer2]

I'm just tring to point out that there readers who dont care for off topic thoughts, so don't trail off.

 

[BeauBenken]

And back to Ayoola...

I think he looks pretty solid.

I'm not sure how hard he is being pursued though.