Akeem Ayers Class: RS Sophomore Hometown: Los Angeles, CA High School: Verbum Dei Height / Weight: 6-4 / 252 Position: LB Birthdate: 07/10/1989 Experience: 2V

UCLA - This talented young player saw his first game action last season and has the potential to develop into an outstanding linebacker ... Figures to contend for a starting job on the strong side this season.

2008 - Appeared in 12 games with three starts at strongside linebacker (BYU, Oregon, Oregon State) ... Named to rivals.com Pac-10 All-Freshman team ... Earned honorable mention All-Pac-10 from the league's coaches ... Was the defensive co-winner of UCLA's John Boncheff, Jr. Memorial Award for Rookie of the Year ... Tied for 19th in the Pac-10 in sacks (0.3) ... Saw his first career action on special teams vs. Tennessee ... Was credited with one tackle and a punt block which was returned for a touchdown ... Started at BYU and made five tackles ... Made three stops vs. Arizona in nickel situations ... Made three tackles vs. Fresno, including an 11-yard sack ... Three stops vs. WSU ... Started at Oregon and made six tackles, including a 12-yard sack ... Made four stops, one for loss, vs. Stanford ... Also had four stops vs. Oregon State ... Made two tackles at Washington, both sacks, one of which caused a fumble ... One tackle at ASU ... Tied his career-best with six tackles against USC.

2007 - Did not see action in his first year with the program and has three years of eligibility remaining. HIGH SCHOOL - Lettered three seasons at Verbum Dei HS in Los Angeles for coach Kendrick Knox ... Played defensive end, linebacker and wide receiver ... PrepStar All-American ... SuperPrep All-American ... Named four-star recruit as a DE by rivals.com and scout.com ... Rated No. 50 player in nation by scout.com ... Rated No. 1 DE and No. 9 player in California by scout.com ... Ranked No. 9 among outside linebackers by rivals.com ... Member of Long Beach Press-Telegram Best in the West first team ...Named first-team All-State (Small Schools) by Cal-Hi Sports ... CIF-Southern Section Mid Valley Defensive Player of the Year ... Led Verbum Dei to CIF Mid-Valley title ... As an outside linebacker, he made 94 tackles, including 22 versus Temple City ... Made two quarterback sacks ... Totaled 21 receptions for 413 yards and nine touchdowns on offense ... Returned 20 kickoffs for 626 yards ... As a junior, made Cal-Hi Sports All-State (Small Schools) first team and All-CIF-SS Division XI first team ... Made 116 tackles, 23 sacks, 15 other tackles for loss, an interception and five fumble recoveries ... On offense, made 19 receptions for 441 yards and seven touchdowns ... As a sophomore, he was credited with 87 tackles, 18 sacks and two blocked punts ... On offense, he caught four passes for 132 yards.

PERSONAL - Full Name: Akeem Christopher Ayers ... Born: July 10, 1989 in Los Angeles, CA ... Parent: Latonya King ... Has one brother, Kevin, and one sister, Jonnoe ... Biggest thrill was winning CIF championship as a senior ... Hobbies include art and basketball ... Director's Honor Roll in Fall 2007 ... History major.

Statistics
Tackles

CAREER HIGHS
Tackles: 6 vs. USC; at Oregon, 2008
Sacks: 2 at Washington, 2008
Tackles for Loss: 2 at Washington, 2008