After not hearing his name called during the 2023 National Football League Draft, former Ashland University All-American linebacker
Michael Ayers quickly found a team which wanted to sign him as a priority undrafted free agent – the Seattle Seahawks.
On Saturday (April 29) night, Ayers agreed to terms with the Seahawks, as he looks to become the 10
th former Eagle to play in an NFL regular-season game.
"I'm really excited," Ayers said. "I get another opportunity to play ball again, and I can't be any more grateful for that."
Ayers appreciates what AU provided him as the chance to play in the NFL now is a reality.
"Words can't even describe it," he said. "They gave me an opportunity to showcase my skills, and I'm glad the next level saw that. I'm glad I get to represent Ashland well."
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.
ALL-TIME ASHLAND COLLEGE/UNIVERSITY FOOTBALL PLAYERS WHO HAVE PLAYED IN AN NFL REGULAR-SEASON GAME
| PLAYER |
POSITION |
YEARS IN NFL |
TEAMS |
| Jamie Meder |
Defensive line |
2014-19 |
Cleveland '14-17, Detroit '19 |
| Ryan Myers |
Linebacker |
2005-06 |
New York Jets '05-06 |
| Ray Novotny |
Back |
1930-32 |
Portsmouth '30, Cleveland '31, Brooklyn '32 |
| Bill Overmyer |
Linebacker |
1972 |
Philadelphia '72 |
| Jeris Pendleton |
Defensive line |
2012-15 |
Jacksonville '12, Indianapolis '13-IR '14-PS '15 |
| Tim Seder |
Kicker |
2000-02 |
Dallas '00-01, Jacksonville '02 |
| Adam Shaheen |
Tight end |
2017-current |
Chicago '17-19, Miami '20-21 ('22 IR) |
| Walt Williams |
Defensive back |
1977-83 |
Detroit '77-80, Minnesota '81-82, Chicago '82-83 |
| Mike Wright |
Defensive line |
2005-11 |
New England '05-11 |
