Austin Ajiake

Austin Ajiake (born May 30, 2000) is an American professional football player who is a linebacker for the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at UNLV.

Early life
Ajiake was born in Hayward, California and grew up in Fremont. He attended Bellarmine College Preparatory in San Jose, where he was a two-sport athlete, competing in both football and track and field.

College career
Ajiake played 10 games in the 2018 season, recording five tackles. He played all 12 games in the 2019 season, recording 14 tackles. He played all 6 games in the 2020 season, which was abridged due to the COVID-19 pandemic, recording seven tackles. In the 2021 season, Ajiake appeared in only eight games due to injury, though he recorded 74 tackles and earned an honorable mention to the all-Mountain West Conference team.

Ajiake played all 12 games in the 2022 season; his 132 tackles were the fifth-most in the country, and the 4th-most in UNLV school history. He also recorded four sacks, two interceptions, and a fumble recovery. Ajiake was chosen for both the 2022 Hula Bowl and the 2022 East-West Shrine Bowl, and was named to the first-team all-MWC team. Additionally, Ajiake earned the 2022-2023 Mountain West Male Scholar-Athlete of the Year award.

Professional career
After going undrafted in the 2023 NFL draft, Ajiake agreed to terms with the Carolina Panthers on April 30, 2023, but ultimately did not finalize a contract. On June 16, Ajiake was drafted by the Houston Roughnecks of the XFL, but did not sign with that team either. He signed with the Denver Broncos on August 3, but was released on August 28. The Las Vegas Raiders signed Ajiake to their practice squad on November 1 and released him on November 7. On November 14, the Green Bay Packers signed Ajiake to their practice squad, and released him on December 12. Ajiake tried out for the Buffalo Bills on December 19, but did not sign with the team. The Indianapolis Colts signed Ajiake to their practice squad on December 28, and on January 9, 2024, the Colts signed him to a reserve/futures contract.