Northwestern University Athletics
Jason Wright, Louis Ayeni Sign with NFL Teams
4/26/2004 12:00:00 AM | Football
April 26, 2004
EVANSTON, Ill. -- Running back Jason Wright (Diamond Bar, Calif./Diamond Bar) and safety Louis Ayeni (Woodbury, Minn./Woodbury) wanted a shot to play in the National Football League. Now they're going to get that chance.
On Sunday night, both Wright and Ayeni signed free-agent contracts with NFL teams: Wright with the San Francisco 49ers and Ayeni with the Indianapolis Colts.
Wright, a two-time CoSIDA First-Team Academic All-American, was a two-time All-Big Ten selection for the Wildcats. He earned second-team honors in 2003, and honorable mention status in 2002. Wright finished his career as NU's fourth all-time leading rusher, third all-time purpose yardage leader and fourth all-time leading scorer.
The five-time Big Ten Player of the Week also was the inaugural recipient of the FCA Bobby Bowden Athlete of the Year Award (a national award recognizing five specific student-athlete criteria: on- and off-the-field character, inspiring on-field ability, classroom attendance and performance, community participation and respect for the campus student body).
Although battling many injuries during his career, Ayeni made a statement in 2004 as one of the hardest hitters in the Big Ten. The team co-captain impressed coaches as he made the transition from offense (running back/receiver) to safety in the off-season, earning himself a starting job in the secondary. His most impressive performance of 2004 came in the season opener versus Kansas when he recorded seven tackles, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery.
