MADISON TOWNSHIP — The paint hadn’t dried on Madison’s 37-3 win over Galion in the first game at Ram Field at STARTEK Stadium when Tyrell Ajian was asked about his athletic future.
Will the two-sport star pursue football or basketball in college?
“Right now, it’s about even,” Ajian said after scoring touchdowns on offense and defense on that early September night. “Football might have a slight edge.”
The University of Toledo sure hopes so.
Toledo became the first school to enter the Ajian sweepstakes, offering the sophomore a football scholarship Wednesday.
“They stopped by to check his grades and to verify that he is as tall as he looks on film,” Madison coach Sean Conway said. “They are not only impressed with his athletic ability, they love his size. Tyrell is over six feet tall. Not a lot of defensive backs are that big. When you take into account his jumping ability, he’s the complete package.”
Madison advanced to the playoffs for the second time in three seasons and Ajian was a big reason why. He starred on both sides of the ball and also returned punts and kicks.
On offense, the receiver had a team-high 24 catches for 428 yards and seven touchdowns. He rushed for 356 yards and four TDs on 38 carries, primarily as Madison’s wildcat quarterback. He completed both of his passing attempts for 42 yards and a score.
Defensively, Ajian picked off five passes, returning one for a touchdown, and was in on 54 tackles. He also recovered two fumbles. He averaged more than 20 yards on punt returns and more than 25 yards on kickoff returns.
“I think the sky is the limit for Tyrell,” Conway said. “He has such a bright future.”
Toledo (8-4, 7-1 Mid-American Conference) will play Arkansas State in the GoDaddy Bowl in Mobile, Ala., on Jan. 4. The Rockets shared the MAC West Division title with Northern Illinois.
While the Rockets were first to offer Ajian, Conway said Toledo won’t be the last.
“It’s going to be a busy off-season for him,” Conway said. “All those (MAC) schools are going to be competing against each other for him.
“I think Tyrell can play at any level. It’s going to be interesting to see where he ends up.”
The pursuit of Ajian should serve as motivation to the Rams, Conway said.
“Our guys realize that for the next two years our program is going to be getting a lot of attention from college programs,” Conway said. “They will be able to showcase their talents.
“This will benefit Tyrell and the program as a whole.”
