University of Nevada Las Vegas

UNLV: A tackling machine who became the face of the Rebel defense as a Super Senior ... A versatile athlete who eventually grew into the middle linebacker spot as a Rebel … Ajiake (AH-g-kay) in 2022 led the Mountain West in tackles and became the first UNLV player to play in two postseason all-star games since 2004. 

2022: A 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 ... Became the first Rebel linebacker to be named first team all-league since Tau Lotulelei in 2016 ... The Sept. 26 Mountain West Defensive Player of the Week also added 11 tackles-for-loss, four quarterback sacks, two interceptions and a fumble recovery ... Appeared in the Hula Bowl in Orlando, Florida, and then became the first Rebel product to be chosen for the prestigious East-West Shrine Bowl since wide receiver Devonte Boyd after the 2017 season. ... The Fremont, California, native became the fourth UNLV linebacker to appear in the iconic game over the years, joining Jason Beauchamp (2009), Adam Seward (2004) and Kirk Dodge (1984) ... In addition, Ajiake was the first former Rebel to be selected to play in more than one postseason all-star game since running back Dominique Dorsey lined up in the now-defunct Gridiron Classic in Florida and the Hula Bowl in Hawai'i after the 2004 season ... Named 2022 Preseason Fourth Team All-Mountain West by Athlon … A team leader selected to represent the Rebel defense at the 2022 Mountain West Media Days event in Las Vegas … Earned his bachelor’s degree in urban studies in May 2022 and is pursuing a master’s in urban leadership … A top student who was one of three Rebels voted to the 2021 CoSIDA Academic All-District Team … A seven-time member of the UNLV Dean’s Honor List … Also an Academic All-Mountain West honoree the last four years and a 2021 and ‘22 MW Scholar-Athlete ... Named UNLV's nominee for the Wuerffel Award as his list of community service includes participating in the department's Bed Build Day, a unique effort that saw more than 100 beds built by volunteers in conjunction with Sleep in Heavenly Peace to benefit local youth in need.

2021: Earned Honorable Mention All-Mountain West despite missing the final third of the season because of injury … Took home UNLV’s Defensive MVP and Defensive Captain awards at the postseason banquet … Hit double-digits in tackles in four games, including a career-high 18 vs. Utah State … His tackles-per-game average of 9.25 ranked fourth in the Mountain West … Despite only appearing in the first eight games, finished second on the team with 74 overall tackles.

2020: Appeared in all six games as a linebacker and on special teams … Finished with seven total tackles.

2019: Played in all 12 games … Appeared at linebacker and on special teams … Finished with 14 total tackles, including nine solo stops.

2018: Earned his first letter as a Rebel by appearing in the final 10 games of the season … Finished with five total tackles playing on special teams and defense.

HIGH SCHOOL: A 2018 graduate of Bellarmine College Prep in San Jose, CA … Three-year letterwinner under coach Mike Janda … Two-way player for the Bells as a running back and outside linebacker … Ran for 1,168 yards and 11 touchdowns as a senior in 2017 … Earned All-Western Catholic Athletic League (WCAL) First Team honors as a senior and was named his team’s most valuable player and most valuable offensive player … Earned all-league second team honors as a junior after scoring 10 touchdowns in 2016 … Also ran track, competing in the 100-meter, 200-meter and 4x100 meter races.

PERSONAL: Austin Bawa Ajiake was born in Hayward, CA … The son of Tammy and Matthew Ajiake … He and fiancée, Rhonda, welcomed a daughter, Eliana, in 2020 … Has two brothers, Jason and Josiah, and two sisters, Olivia and Grace.

AJIAKE’S DEFENSIVE STATS

YEAR    GP-GS    UT    AT    TT    TFL    SCK    INT    PBU    FF    FR     

2022       12-12     59     73    132   11-33  4-17   2-56     0        0    1-5
2021        8-8        43     31     74    1-1      0-0     0-0       1        0    0-0

2020        6-0         3       4       7     0-0      0-0     0-0       0        0    0-0

2019       12-0        9       5      14    0-0      0-0     0-0       0        0    0-0

2018       10-0        3       2        5    0-0      0-0     0-0       0        0    0-0

TOTAL    48-20     117   115   232  12-34  4-17   2-56     1        0    1-5