Arizona football coach Rich Rodriguez has found his latest reclamation project. Former Illinois running back Dami Ayoola, a member of the 2015 recruiting class, committed to the UA on Monday night.
Ayoola, from Fort Lauderdale, Florida,, played as a true freshman at Illinois in 2012 and rushed for 117 yards and two touchdowns on 26 carries. He was dismissed from the team before the 2013 season for violating team rules.
He wasn’t with the Illini for the season, but worked his way back onto the roster in December. However, in early March, Illini coach Tim Beckman said Ayoola was no longer on the team for failing to meet established guidelines.
Ayoola will play this season at Arizona Western College, before enrolling at the UA in time for the 2015 season. He will have two seasons of eligibility remaining.
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He was ranked as a three-star prospect and the 27th best running back in the country coming out of St. Thomas Aquinas High School in Fort Lauderdale in 2012 He chose Illinois over offers from Auburn, Iowa, Kentucky, Notre Dame, West Virginia, Wisconsin and others. Ayoola is the latest player to choose Arizona after beginning his career at another FBS school.
- UA offensive lineman
- Steven Gurrola
- was named to the 2014 Rimington Trophy Watch List, given to the best student-athlete at the center position. The senior is one of six Pac-12 centers on the list.
— Daniel Berk
- After capturing Pac-12 titles in the 1,500- and 5,000-meter runs, UA senior
- Lawi Lalang
- was named the men’s national athlete of the week by the U.S. Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches’ Association for the fourth time in the last two years.
Auto racing
Busch must use backup car after Indy crash
INDIANAPOLIS — Kurt Busch just made his attempt at completing The Double a lot tougher after crashing during Monday’s practice at Indianapolis.
Busch spun coming out of the second turn on the 2ƒ-mile oval and slammed hard into the outside wall. It was the biggest crash of the month, but he was not hurt.
Andretti Autosport said Monday night the car would not be repaired by the Indy 500 and Busch will drive teammate Marco Andretti’s backup car. Busch will still start 12th as he becomes the fourth driver to attempt completing the Indy 500 and NASCAR’s Coca-Cola 600 — 1,100 total miles — on the same day. Both races are Sunday.
Miscellaneous
USC’s top scorer, Wesley, headed to Gonzaga
SPOKANE, Wash. — Byron Wesley, who led Southern California in scoring (17.8) and rebounding (6.4) last season, will play his senior season at Gonzaga.
The 6-foot-5 wing is expected to play immediately as he should complete his degree at USC.
- In golf,
- Tiger Woods
- still doesn’t know when he’ll return from his March 31 back surgery. As of now, he remains limited to chipping and putting.
- In cycling,
- Lance Armstrong
- has been ordered to give sworn videotaped testimony June 12 about using performance-enhancing drugs to win the Tour de France seven times. He has been sued by a Texas company seeking the return of about $12 million in performance bonuses.
- In soccer,
- David Beckham
- agreed Monday to follow city and Miami-Dade County recommendations to pursue the deep-water boat slip between Miami’s arena and Museum Park as the site of a 25,000-seat stadium for his MLS expansion franchise. The deal requires a public vote. ... Manchester United made Netherlands coach
- Louis Van Gaal
- their new manager in a three-year deal. Interim player-manager
- Ryan Giggs
- will retire and be his assistant.
Includes material from news releases
