University of Massachusets Athletics
Hall of Fame
- Induction:
- 2014
- Class:
- 2001
A two-time first team all-American, Kole Ayi set the standard by which all UMass linebackers are judged. To this day, he remains as UMass' all-time leader in solo tackles with 330 and ranks third in career total tackles with 478.
In addition to his all-America honors, Ayi was a two-time finalist for the Buck Buchanan Award, which is given to the top defensive player in FCS football, and he was honored with the George "Bulger" Lowe Award as the top defensive player in New England from the Gridiron Club of Greater Boston in 2000.
Ayi, a native of Nashua, New Hampshire, will always be remembered for his standout performance in the 1998 NCAA National Championship Game, where he recorded a game-high 16 tackles, had three fumble recoveries and forced two fumbles. He even scored a touchdown by returning a fumble recovery leading the Minutemen to their first-ever national title.
Beginning his career at UMass as a walk-on, Ayi finished his time in Amherst as one of the best players in the program's history. He was an All-Atlantic 10 First Team pick in 1999 and 2000 and was a second-team selection in 1998. He led UMass in tackles as a sophomore, junior and senior. Ayi's 116 tackles during the 1998 campaign still stand as the school record for single-season tackles.
Following his time at UMass, Ayi signed as a free agent with the St. Louis Rams. He was a member of the New England Patriots during the 2002 Super Bowl Championship season as well.
Currently, Ayi remains an active member of the UMass football community as a member of the Board of Directors for the UMass Football Gridiron Club.
He was inducted into the UMass Athletics Hall of Fame as a member of the Class of 2014.
