Ayers Preparing For 2023 National Football League Draft

After redshirting, two years as a whip, missing a season due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and two seasons as one of the best linebackers in NCAA Division II, Michael Ayers is moving on to the next challenge.
 
On Tuesday (Dec. 13) afternoon, Ayers announced on social media that he is declaring for the 2023 National Football League Draft, preparing for the next stage in his gridiron career after finishing his eligibility as an Eagle.
 
"It's like a dream, but it's a dream you can reach, because I've seen it with my friends," Ayers said. "It's surreal."
 
After redshirting in 2017, then serving as the Eagles' starting whip in 2018 and 2019, Ayers missed 2020 with the rest of the team due to the pandemic. Coming out of the pandemic, Ayers made the switch to inside linebacker, and he quickly found his home:
 
- 2021: Was first-team Division 2 Conference Commissioners Association (D2CCA) All-Super Region 1, Great Midwest Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Year, first-team All-Great Midwest and nominee for the Cliff Harris Award, presented to the nation's top small college defensive player. Finished first on team in total tackles (100), solo tackles (52), assists (48), tackles for loss (12) and forced fumbles (two), and added three sacks and a fumble recovery.
 
- 2022: Earned first-team American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) first-team All-America selection, Ashland's first first-team All-American in five years and Ashland's first first-team All-American linebacker in 31 years. Named first-team All-Super Region 1 from the Division II Conference Commissioners Association (D2CCA), Great Midwest Player of the Year and first-team all-conference. He ended the season with 81 total tackles (48 solo), 10½ tackles for loss, three sacks, an interception, eight pass breakups, 11 quarterback hurries, three forced fumbles and a fumble recovery.
 
His 28½ career tackles for loss are tied for sixth-most in program history.
 
Ayers is looking to add his name to the nine other former Ashland College/University football players who have played a regular-season game in the National Football League. PAGE 48 OF THE ASHLAND FOOTBALL RECORD BOOK. The latest Eagle to play in the NFL is tight end Adam Shaheen, currently on injured reserve with the Miami Dolphins.
 
"I got to hear the stories and his mindset and how he approached things," said Ayers, who was a redshirt freshman when Shaheen would have been a senior had he not entered the NFL Draft a year early. "This is a real thing."
 
Ayers said he is hearing of an NFL future as an inside linebacker, outside linebacker or safety.
 
"They want me to be a football player," said Ayers. "Just make sure you are ready for that."
 
The next step for Ayers could be an invite to one of the postseason college all-star games.
 
"It would be nice to do it, because it would get me in front of more scouts and play against guys who are on the same path," he said, "just get in front of the coaches and have conversations and have them get to know me."