Ayoola up to four offers

Fort Lauderdale (Fla.) St. Thomas Aquinas running back Dami Ayoola has seen his offer list double over the past week. The 5-foot-9, 201-pound back recently added two offers.

"The latest is that I got offered by UCF and Minnesota," Ayoola said. "I now have offers from Iowa, Rutgers, UCF, and Minnesota."

When asked if the in-state offer from the Knights gave them an early lead, Ayoola said that distance isn't a major factor for him in his recruitment.

"I am pretty open to going outside the state to play college football but it was nice to get an in-state offer from UCF," Ayoola said. "(UCF) had a great season last year and won their bowl game against Georgia. I really like the program because it is on the rise with regards to recruiting and the level they play at on the field."

At this point, Ayoola has taken an unofficial visit to just one school - Miami. The Hurricanes have yet to offer.

"I have been to Miami and I wanted to go to Florida State this weekend but I don't think that is going to happen," Ayoola said. "I am supposed to go to Miami again on Sunday."

He talked a bit about what he has learned from Al Golden and his staff I Coral Gables.

"They are real professional," Ayoola said. "They get you motivated and pumped up to get back there. They are working hard and on the grind trying to get back to being a National Championship conteder. It is just great to see that."

As for plans beyond this weeked, Ayoola hopes to get out and see a few teams in intrasquad action during the spring.

"I am going to try to make it to some spring games," Ayoola said. "I think I will be going to Florida's spring game, Miami's spring game, and I am hoping to make it up to Iowa or Wisconsin's spring games for unofficial visits."

In addition to his offers and the interest from Miami, numerous other schools such as Alabama, Boston College, Clemson, Florida, Northwestern, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Tennessee, and Wisconsin are keeping tabs on him.

"Right now I am hearing from everybody equally," Ayoola said.

One school sounds very close to extending an offer.

"Lately I have been hearing a lot from LSU, I am talking with Coach (Billy) Gonzales at LSU," Ayoola said. "He has told me the coaches are still evaluating South Florida players and that I should be getting an offer from LSU soon after their evaluation."

When it comes time for Ayoola to separate the schools and make a decision, he knows what he is looking for in his future home beyond a good relationship with the coaches and a school with tradition.

"Definitely the style of offense, I am looking for a pro-style offense, and a team that runs the ball a lot," Ayoola said. "I am also going to look at the depth chart because I want to compete for a job early on."

As a junior, Ayoola rushed 89 times for 582 yards and 10 touchdowns. He also had 14 receptions for 298 yards and two touchdowns.