Ayers Takes Part In Second Pro Day, Sets Sights On NFL Draft

Michael Ayers continues his path toward the 2023 National Football League Draft, and the latest step came at home.
 
On Wednesday (March 22) on the Ashland University campus in front of scouts from the Cleveland Browns, the former Eagle linebacker worked out in his second Pro Day in three days, following one in Toledo, Ohio, on Monday (March 20).
 
"I think it was a little easier today, because it was like a home-field advantage," Ayers said. "It felt good doing it at both Pro Days."
 
NFL scouts have access to Ayers' tape from recent seasons, and he feels both that and his Pro Day workouts will help him get into the league.
 
"I think I put on a good showing both days, and the tape never lies," he said.
 
Ayers said the majority of NFL teams have told him they see him as a linebacker, but, as he said, "you never know."
 
Ayers was one of five former Eagle football players to take part on Wednesday, along with wide receiver Logan Bolin and defensive backs Jourdan Swett, Justin Moore and Jordan Mosely. Ashland first-year head football coach Doug Geiser is looking to the Niss Athletic Center as a venue where smaller-school Ohio players can have Pro Days moving forward.
 
"What I'd like to end up doing is, because of our facilities…I'd like to kind of have this be an Ohio day moving forward," said Geiser. "If we can make it like a one-stop shop for the scouts…we could do it all at once at that point."
 
The 2023 NFL Draft will be April 27-29 in Kansas City, Mo.
 
"The feedback I'm getting is anywhere from a Day 3 guy to a priority free agent, somewhere in there," Geiser said of Ayers. "It kind of depends on what team it is at that point."
 
Ayers began his quest to be drafted on Jan. 28 at the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif.
 
"I think it helped out a lot," he said. "It showed I could compete with other guys who are getting looked at."
 
Geiser said, "He really helped himself at the NFLPA Bowl. He did a really, really good job that week. He did a nice job with that."
 
Ayers ended the 2022 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.
 
The long list of Ayers senior-season honors included:
 

• First-team American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) 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.
• First-team linebacker on the 2022 D2Football.com Elite 100 Team.
• First-team All-Super Region 1 from the Division II Conference Commissioners Association (D2CCA).
• Great Midwest Athletic Conference Player of the Year.
• First-team All-Great Midwest.
• Finalist for the Cliff Harris Award.

 
Ayers said he hasn't decided yet where he will watch the draft, but he has some ideas.
 
"I just have to wait and see," he said.