One and Done: Akeem Ayers
Welcome to One and Done, a series here where I take a look at former Patriots players who spent only one season in New England. Our subject today: linebacker Akeem Ayers. For reference, his NFL stats can be found here and his college stats can be found here.
Akeem Ayers, following his graduation from Verbum Dei High School in California, committed to UCLA to play football. He played 12 games his freshman year, recording 40 total tackles and 4 sacks. He also recorded a rush for 7 yards. He played 13 games as a sophomore, recorded 75 tackles, 6 sacks, and 4 interceptions and 2 pick sixes. As a junior, he played 12 games, recorded 68 tackles, 4 sacks, and 2 interceptions. Following his junior year, he declared for the draft.
Ayers was drafted in the second round of the 2011 NFL Draft, 39th overall by the Tennessee Titans. He played in and started all 16 games his rookie year, and recorded 76 tackles, 2 sacks, a forced fumble and fumble recovery. In 2012, he played 16 games, started 13, recorded 104 tackles, 6 sacks, a forced fumble, and an interception. In 2013, his last full season with Tennessee, he played 16 games, 14 starts, and recorded only 49 tackles with 1 sack, a forced fumble, and an interception. He played 2 games in 2014 for the Titans, recording only three tackles.
And then the trade to the New England Patriots.
Ayers played 9 games for New England, with 4 starts. He had 22 tackles, 4 sacks, and an interception. In the postseason, he only recorded 2 tackles, including none in the Super Bowl. As you know, the Patriots would win and Ayers would get his first (and to date only) ring.
Following his Patriots tenure, he signed with the St. Louis Rams on a two year contract. In 2015, he played in all 16 games (11 starts) and recorded 47 tackles, half a sack, a forced fumble, and three fumble recoveries, 1 for a touchdown. However, he did not move to Los Angeles, as he was part of the Rams final cuts. Three days after his release, he signed a two year contract with the Indianapolis Colts. In Indy, he played all 16 games, no starts. He recorded only 18 tackles, 2 sacks, and an interception. Ayers remains under contract for 2017.
