Football Rams Showcase Talents to NFL Scouts

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Bronx, N.Y. (March 25, 2015) – Ten senior members of the Fordham University football squad showcased their talents in front of a slew of NFL scouts today at Fordham's annual Pro Day on Murphy Field. The Rams participating were Sam Ajala, Brett Biestek, Jordan Chapman, Tebucky Jones, Jr., DeAndre Slate, Matt Stolte, Brian Wetzel, Ian Williams, Levon Williams and Justin Yancey.
 

Ajala, a first team All-Patriot League pick in 2014, caught 62 passes for 1,016 yards and three touchdowns last fall, his second straight 1,000-receiving yard season. He was fourth in the Patriot League and 33^rd in the NCAA FCS in receiving yards/game (78.2) and sixth in the Patriot League in receptions/game (4.8).
 
Ajala graduates third on the Fordham career receiving yards list (2,974), fourth on the all-time receptions list (181) and fifth on the career receiving touchdown list (19).
 
Biestek, who was named the 2014 Patriot League Scholar-Athlete of the Year, first team Capital One Academic All-America® and first team All-League selection, had 54 total tackles, 38 solo, including 18.0 for loss and 11.5 sacks, both team highs. He was second in the Patriot League and 22^nd in the NCAA FCS in tackles for loss/game (1.50) and third in the league and 12^th in the NCAA FCS in sacks/game (0.96). He also had two forced fumble, two blocked kicks and three quarterback hurries.
 
In 48 career games, Biestek had 140 total tackles, 96 solo, including 38 for a loss and 19.5 sacks.
 
Chapman, a three-year starter in the defensive backfield who garnered first team All-Patriot League accolades this year, was second on the team with 77 total tackles, 56 solo, including five for loss. He also had nine pass breakups, third best on the squad, and an interception. 
 
Jones, a 2014 first team All-Patriot League pick, had 78 receptions for 1,202 yards, both second best on the team, with a team-high 12 touchdowns last fall. He was second in Patriot League and 37^th in the NCAA FCS in receptions per game (5.6), third in the Patriot League and 22^nd in the NCAA FCS in receiving yards/game (85.9) and tied for tenth in the NCAA FCS in receiving touchdowns (12).
 

Slate, a three-year starter at tackle who earned first team All-Patriot League honors last fall, was been a big part of the defense's success in 2014, making 67 total tackles, 38 solo, including 12.0 for loss and 5.5 sacks. He ranked fourth on the team in total tackles, second in tackles for loss (eighth in the Patriot League), and third on the team, and seventh in the league, in sacks.
 
Stolte, a first team All-Patriot League pick in 2014, was a mainstay on the Fordham offensive line, starting every game at right guard. He was a big part of the success of the Fordham record-setting offense last fall as the Rams set school marks for rushing yards with 2,353, shattering the former mark of 2,162 set last year, and scoring with 569 points, surpassing last year's record of 526. Included in the scoring total was a school-record 31 rushing touchdowns.
 
The Rams led the Patriot League in passing offense, total offense and scoring offense while on the national level the Rams ranked fourth in passing offense (326.1 yards/game) in the NCAA FCS and ranked among the top ten in scoring offense (40.6 points/game – fifth), team passing efficiency (156.23 – third), total offense (494.1 yards/game – seventh) and first downs (331 - ninth).
 
Wetzel, who was named All-America by the Sports Network in 2014 as well as a first team All-Patriot League selection at return specialist and a second team selection as a receiver, had 89 receptions for 1247 yards, both team highs, and eleven touchdowns. He led the conference and is 17th in the NCAA FCS in receptions/game (6.4) and led the league and is seventh in the nation in total receiving yards. He was also second in Patriot League and 17th in the FCS in receiving yards/game (89.1) and second in the league and 13^th in the FCS in receiving touchdowns.

Wetzel, who is just the second Rams to have three consecutive 1,000-yard receiving seasons, closed out his career in second place on the Fordham career receptions (286), receiving yards (3,876) and career touchdown reception lists (32).
 
Wetzel also returned 27 punts for 282 yards, an average of 10.4 per return, with a long of 52. He led the Patriot League and is 16th in the NCAA FCS in punt return average.
 

Ian Williams, a four-year starter in the defensive backfield who earned first team All-League accolades the past two years, was third on the team with 75 total tackles, 56 solo, including one for loss. He led the team and the Patriot League with 19 pass breakups and also picked off four passes last year, fourth best in the league.
 
Over his career, Williams recorded 301 total tackles, 120 solo, and he had 22 pass breakup and nine interceptions.
 
Levon Williams, a two-year starter in the defensive backfield, finished his senior year with 61 total tackles, 40 solo, including two for loss. He also registered five pass break ups and two interceptions.
 
Yancey, who started at left tackle on the defensive line last year, finished the year with 27 total stops, 14 solo, including 3.5 for loss and one sack.