PROFILER; Meet Remi Ayodele

Remi Ayodele

Remi Ayodele attended South Grand Prairie High School in Grand Prairie, Texas, where he played as a defensive tackle.
He moved on to Northeastern Oklahoma A&M College, before transferring after his sophomore season to the University of Oklahoma. In his two years with the Sooners he played in 24 games (8 starts), while registering 22 tackles and 4 sacks.

Ayodele went undrafted in the 2006 NFL Draft, but was signed as a rookie free agent by the New England Patriots on May 8, before being released on June 16. On July 27, he signed with the Baltimore Ravensand was cut on September 4.

On November 7, 2006, he was signed by the Dallas Cowboys to the practice squad. In 2007, he was assigned to the Rhein Fire of NFL Europa. He was released on September 1.

On September 11, 2007, he was signed by the Dallas Cowboys for depth purposes, after starting nose tackle Jason Ferguson was lost for the year with a biceps injury. He appeared in 7 games as was declared inactive for 5 contests, as a backup to nose tackle Jay Ratliff, who was moved from defensive end to replace Ferguson.

Ayodele also had a chance to play on the same team with his brother Akin. He was released on December 11 and signed to the practice squad. He was cut again on August 30.

On September 3, 2008, he was signed by the New Orleans Saints to the practice squad. He was promoted to the active roster on October 4. On November 11 he was cut and re-signed to the practice squad. He was promoted to the active roster again on December 21.

In 2009, he became a starter (13 starts) at left defensive tackle after Kendrick Clancy injured his knee in the season opener. On October 4, he scored his first touchdown after defensive lineman Will Smith forced Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez to fumble, with Ayodele recovering the ball and returning it for a touchdown. On January 24, 2010, he recovered a fumble in the NFC Championship Game. He was a part of the Super Bowl XLIV winning team.

In 2010, he started all 16 games, posting 37 tackles, one sack, and one forced fumble. In his Saints career, he appeared in 37 games, with 29 starts at nose tackle, while posting 133 tackles, 2.5 sacks, 2 passes defensed, one forced fumble and on fumble recovery, which came in the end zone for a touchdown.