Newsstand: Former Notre Dame DL Jayson Ademilola learns next professional destination
Former Notre Dame defensive lineman Jayson Ademilola found out where he’ll continue his professional football career on Friday. In the 2023 XFL Rookie Draft, the Houston Roughnecks selected the 6-foot-3, 285-pound Ademilola.
Earlier this year, Ademilola —a product of Jersey City (N.J.) St. Peter’s Prep — moved onto the professional ranks after five seasons with the Fighting Irish. He went undrafted in the 2023 NFL Draft but signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars as an undrafted free agent on April 29.
The Jaguars cut Ademilola on May 15.
In five seasons at Notre Dame, Ademilola had 133 tackles (62 solo), 20 tackles for loss, 7.5 sacks, three pass breakups and a forced fumble in 55 games. The 2021 season was his best one. He had career-highs in tackles (29), tackles for loss (8), sacks (3.5) and pass breakups (3) in 13 games.
Last season, Ademilola had 29 tackles (9 solo), five tackles for loss and three sacks in 11 games. A mid-season rib contusion and head injury later in the year hindered his graduate student season.
Ademilola has a twin brother, Justin Ademilola, who picked up an invite to the Green Bay Packers rookie minicamp. However, Justin remains unsigned after foregoing his final season of collegiate eligibility.
The XFL has been fruitful to former Notre Dame players Jack Coan and Alizé Mack.
Coan spent 2023 rookie minicamp with the New York Jets after playing in the XFL with the San Antonio Brahams, completing 158-254 passes for 1,471 yards and six touchdowns. He worked out with the 49ers two weeks ago.
Mack reinvigorated his professional career in the XFL. In 10 games for the San Antonio Brahmas, Mack caught 28 passes for 230 yards and one touchdown. The NFL’s Tennessee Titans signed him to a two-year, $1.6 million deal in mid-May.
The latest edition of the XFL will kick off next February. There are eight teams: the Arlington Renegades, D.C. Defenders, Orlando Guardians, Seattle Sea Dragons, St. Louis Battlehawks, Vegas Vipers, Roughnecks and Brahmas.
Notre Dame Tweets of the Weekend
Irish defensive back Eddie Scheidler interviewed Notre Dame coaches for a Father’s Day special.
During his official visit, Irish 2024 wide receiver commit Isiah Canion “head tapped” Irish head coach Marcus Freeman.
Irish quarterback Sam Hartman leads college football in two metrics.
Notre Dame Quote of the Weekend
“I tell our guys often, the greatest display of love is discipline. I learned the value of discipline from my Dad. I’ll always be thankful to him for teaching me from a young age how important having discipline is in reaching your goals!”
— Freeman said on Twitter on Sunday.
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