LAS VEGAS (UNLVRebels.com) – Former UNLV football star linebacker Austin Ajiake has been signed to the practice squad of the Las Vegas Raiders, the NFL franchise announced Wednesday.
 
Ajiake (AH-g-kay), a native of Fremont, California, closed out his stellar collegiate career by leading the conference in tackles last season while also becoming a five-time Academic All-MW honoree and three-time MW Scholar-Athlete. In August he earned the Mountain West's highest honor as the 2022-23 Male Scholar-Athlete of the Year.
 
A 2022 First Team All-Mountain West selection, Ajiake finished fifth in the nation with 132 total tackles, a number that tied him for fourth in UNLV single-season history. He became the first Rebel linebacker to be named first team all-league since 2016. The September 26 Mountain West Defensive Player of the Week also added 11 tackles-for-loss, four quarterback sacks, two interceptions and a fumble recovery.
 
Following his final season, Ajiake appeared in the Hula Bowl in Orlando, Florida, and became the fourth Rebel linebacker ever invited to appear in the prestigious East-West Shrine Bowl held at his home facility, Allegiant Stadium, in January. He was the first former Rebel to be selected to play in more than one postseason all-star game since running back Dominique Dorsey in 2004.