BeaversEdge Top 25 For 2025: No. 9 Exodus Ayers
In the months leading up to the start of fall camp, BeaversEdge.com will be counting down the Top 25 Oregon State football players on the 2025 roster. Want to give your two cents on the rankings? Subscribe to BeaversEdge.com to join The Dam Board and weigh in on the conversation. We continue with DB Exodus Ayers, who checks in at No. 9…
Exodus Ayers
Defensive Back
Bio
No. 23
6-foot, 193-pounds
Sophomore
Albuquerque, N.M.
La Cueva High School -> Proctor Academy -> Oregon State
2024 (FRESHMAN)
• Played in eight games
• Tallied 21 tackles with 1.5 tackles for loss, a forced fumble and two pass breakups
• Recorded both pass breakups against UNLV, adding three tackles with half a tackle for loss
• Tallied a season-high eight tackles at California
• Picked up five tackles in the season finale at Boise State
• Recorded five tackles – including a 3-yard TFL – and a forced fumble versus Washington State
PROCTOR ACADEMY
• Rated three stars by Rivals.com
• Spent one season at Proctor Academy in New Hampshire after previously playing at La Cueva High School in New Mexico
• Lettered for head coach Craig Vandersea at Proctor
• Named the 2022-23 Gatorade Player of the Year in the state of New Hampshire after his junior season
• Intercepted 12 passes as a junior
• Returned six of the 12 interceptions for touchdowns
• Recorded three touchdowns as a receiver and six as a returner. Averaged 20.8 yards per catch
• Recorded 41 receptions for 901 yards and 15 touchdowns his last season at La Cueva
• Also lettered in basketball
Ayers 2024 Recap
In his debut true-freshman campaign with the Beavers, Ayers had one of the more productive rookie campaigns in recent Oregon State seasons. The 6-foot, 193-pounder impressed during spring workouts after enrolling early, and then built upon that strong play in fall camp, earning a spot in the two-deep. He was listed as the third corner at one of the CB spots behind Andre Jordan and Kobe Singleton, and didn’t see action until the fifth game of the season against Colorado State.
Once he began to see the field, however, he began to show he was not your typical freshman. He went on to play 304 snaps over the final eight games, including five starts, and tallied 21 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, a forced fumble, and two pass breakups. In the late stretches of the season, Ayers was playing as productively as any Beaver corner, and that speaks a lot to his talent level and potential over the next couple of seasons.
Ayers 2025 Outlook
Entering the 2025 campaign, Ayers is in a strong position to be one of Oregon State’s starting cornerbacks. The instincts he showed as a true freshman were impressive, and in spring ball, he built upon his strong opening year, further cementing himself as a standout cornerback.
Ayers is still early in his career, but with his experience last season, he should be on an upward ascent that sees him take an even bigger step in year two. The Beavers are deeper at cornerback this season, and there’s bound to be a good competition between the CBs this fall camp. However, Ayers has the potential to be the Beavers’ best cornerback this season, just as a sophomore. Look for Ayers to be one of the Beavers’ starting corners, in line to have a strong 2025.
