2023 NFL Draft Prospect Interview: Kingsley Ayeni IV, OLB, University of Central Missouri

• Name: Kingsley Ayeni IV
• Position: OLB
• College: University of Central Missouri
• Height: 6’2
• Weight: 222
• Twitter: @AyeniIV
• Instagram: Kyng4

What makes you a top prospect at your position in the 2023 NFL Draft?

I’m versatile enough to play any LB position on the field and have a rare combination of speed, strength, and explosiveness and I’ll track and hawk down the ball from whatever position I’m at.

At what age were you first interested in the sport of football?

I was first interested in football at 5 years old. It was always my favorite sport.

What is one thing that NFL teams should know about you?

That I’m a dedicated player that works day in and day out to improve my game in whatever ways possible.

If you could donate to one cause in the world, what would it be?

Homelessness. A lot of people take advantage of the fact that they have a roof over their head and for in their mouth. It isn’t easy to get by without those things.

What is the best advice you have ever received?

Shoot for the moon, even if you miss you’ll land amongst the stars.

Who was your childhood hero?

My dad. He instilled hard work into me from a young age.

Who is the most underrated teammate in your locker room at your school? 

TJ, He’s a freshman running back that’s always working on the scout team and even worked his way onto the field later in the season and made something out of every rep.

What is your biggest pet peeve?

When Wendy’s forgets my extra sauce.

Overcoming adversity is what defines character, what was the hardest moment in your life to overcome?  

JUCO life in Cali was pretty difficult to get through. I was 3000 miles away from anyone I knew and there no housing or meal plans. So it was difficult to focus on football and get to a University.

Tell me something about your school and why it is so special to you?

Central Missouri is a great place with great people. I won my first ring here and met some lifelong friends. 

What is your favorite snack food?

The sweet chili Doritos I eat the family bag in one sitting every time I buy it.

What is the best part of football?  

My favorite part is that it’s one of the few places you get to go out there and hit and throw people around legally and get paid to do it. It’s a great sport to play if you need an outlet. I also love how it brings people and communities together.

If you could sell yourself in one sentence what would you say?

That I’m a great athlete with a work ethic that’s hard to match. I’m never content and always going to work to be the best I can be.

If you could compare your play to one player in the NFL who would it be?

Hassan Reddick. He’s versatile and relentless and a great player off the edge and I’m the same way.

If you could have dinner with three people dead or alive, who would it be and why? 

Muhammad Ali, Kobe Bryant, and Ray Lewis. They’re some of my favorite athletes ever and I’d love to pick their brains on some things.