Ashland University (AU) has been known to graduate Eagle football players that go on to play in the National Football League (NFL) with the likes of Adam Shaheen, Jamie Meder and Bill Royce to name a few.

Now, a new name has looked to join the elite company of just nine Eagles that have played in the NFL, All-American linebacker Michael Ayers. He will look to be the 10th to play in a regular season game.

Ayers went undrafted in the 2023 NFL Draft through seven rounds, but once the draft came to a close, he was signed as a priority free agent with the Seattle Seahawks.

“It’s a big opportunity,” said Ayers. “Just for a team to believe in me and see my talents is everything I can ask for!”

During his time as an Eagle in Ashland, Ohio, he contributed to the team’s run to a conference championship in the 2022-23 season. In that season he recorded 81 total tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss, three sacks, an interception, three forced fumbles and a fumble recovery.

The year prior he finished first on the team in total tackles with 100, while recording 12 tackles for a loss.

Through his last two seasons at AU, he was named the Great Midwest Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Year, and the conference’s Player of the Year. He was also named First-team American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) All-America selection, and a Finalist for the Cliff Harris Award.

Now with the professional football world in front of him, he will have an opportunity to showcase his skills at the next level.

“It feels good, [I] worked hard to get to this point,” he said. “I can’t thank my team and coaches enough for helping me get here.”

The Seattle Seahawks finished the 2022-23 NFL season with an overall record of 9-8 on the season and a trip in the postseason that ended in the Wild Card round. Ayers will have the ability to work with the likes of Clint Hurtt as his Defensive Coordinator.

The next stop for him will be the NFL’s Rookie Development Programs and other newcomer events in May.