Fresno State Athletics
2 is the Number for Ajirotutu
11/18/2009 12:00:00 AM | Football
Nov. 18, 2009
FRESNO, Calif. - When Seyi Ajirotutu arrived on the Fresno State campus in the fall of 2005 he was a tall, skinny freshman from the Sacramento area. When he got to his locker in the Duncan Building, he found his practice jersey and was assigned number 19. Few NFL receivers, let alone superstars have ever worn that number, certainly none in this era.
Johnny Unitas and Lance Alworth were two notable NFL stars who wore No. 19, but both had been retired from more than a decade before Ajirotutu was born.
Ajirotutu wanted a single digit but those were all taken by veteran players. So he lived with the number, never one to complain. As his career progressed and players moved on, some single digit numbers opened up and by in the fall of 2008 he asked for, and was given, the No. 2.
What he got was more than a new single digit, it was an important number in the legacy of recent Bulldog football stars.
He was worn the number with pride and done it proud.
By the end of his career, he will rank among the best receivers to ever wear the red Bulldog jersey. He's just 117 yards shy of 2,000 for his career. Only seven other players in Fresno State's rich receiving tradition have accomplished that milestone, including NFL veterans Henry Ellard, Charlie Jones, Rodney Wright and Bernard Berrian.
Ajirotutu has been a big-play receiver during his entire career, and averages 15.8 yards per catch, the 10th highest average among current NCAA receivers. That total is more than Wright and Berrian averaged in their careers.
For the last two seasons he's been the top receiver on the Bulldog team. As he concludes his senior campaign and prepares for play his final home game at Bulldog Stadium on Saturday afternoon, he has made 39 receptions for 563 yards and five touchdowns, leading the team in all three categories.
Ajirotutu will face Louisiana Tech on Saturday, a team he's had good success against in his career. Last year, he had the best game of his career with seven receptions for 137 yards and two touchdowns, 33 and 13 yards. That was the first game he'd scored twice in a game. He matched that against Wisconsin earlier this year.
He's been a steady and highly productive player in his career at Fresno State while playing against super competition. His big frame, large hands and speed make him the prototypical receiver that excel in professional football. At 6-foot, 4-inches, he will be getting a good look from NFL scouts in preparation for next April's draft.
Ajirotutu has also put up some big numbers in the class room as a high-quality student and business major. Articulate with an engaging smile, he's become a favorite interview among media members in the Fresno market.
NFL scouts are used to looking at Fresno State players who wear the No. 2 jersey. All-American Bernard Berrian was a high-draft pick by the Chicago Bears after a record-setting career at Fresno State. Two seasons ago he was one of the NFL's highest-paid free agent receivers and this year is one of Brett Favre's top targets for the Minnesota Vikings.
The player before Ajirotutu to wear No. 2 was Clifton Smith, the MVP of the 2007 team. Smith parlayed his success at Fresno State - where he was a running back, cornerback and record-setting return specialist - into an amazing rookie season with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He was selected to the Pro Bowl as a return specialist as the only player in the NFL with touchdowns in both kickoff and punt returns.
As the Bulldog seniors race out of the Dog House shaped tunnel for their final game at Bulldog Stadium, fans should keep a close watch on Ajirotutu and his No. 2 jersey. They are watching someone very special.
This story is courtesy of the Fresno State's Official Sports Report. To read the free the Official Sports Report, sign-up at: Fresno State Official Sports Report
"We Are Your Team!" Come to the Bulldog Senior Tackle on Friday night at 5:30 p.m. at Bulldog Stadium. The Bulldogs wrap-up their final home football game on Saturday, November 21, when the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs come to town. Kick-off is set for 2 p.m. Don't forget to bring a new, unwrapped toy to help the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve "Toys for Tots" Program. Fresno State will honor the 20th Anniversary of the 1989 Cal Bowl Champion team at halftime of the game. Tickets can be purchased at the Bulldog Ticket Office, by calling 278-DOGS or online at GoBulldogs.com.
