A first-generation Canadian, Ajou Ajou is slowly making a name for himself here at Clemson. On Monday morning, Ajou met with the media for the first time since stepping on campus. More than five reporters from various media outlets in Canada joined the Zoom call to talk to Canada’s newest college football star.
Growing up in the small town of Brooks in Alberta, Canada, Ajou had to make his own fun.
“Brooks is very boring. We didn’t have much to do, we didn’t have a mall.” Said the Freshman wide receiver. “We played sports to keep busy growing up.”
During his high school days, Ajou had another Canadian college football star to look up too.
“I remember being back in Edmonton and seeing Chubba Hubbard getting his first touchdown. I thought to myself “wow, I promise you one day I’m going to be there and they’re going to talk about me like the way they’re talking about him (Hubbard).”
It didn’t take long for Ajou to find the endzone for his first collegiate touchdown for the Tigers though. During the final quarter of Clemson’s 73-7 win over Georgia Tech two weeks ago, the speedy wide receiver took a screen pass 35 yards to the house.
“They called the play, and I said “oh shoot this is coming to me, be ready.” I caught the ball and I looked and I thought “oh this is really happening” and I got some much adrenaline and I just told myself “GO”. I got tunnel vision and I just ran to the endzone.”
The emotions hit Ajou once he heard the crowd erupt.
“I thought to myself “no way this just happened.” I’ve been wanting this my entire life and it finally happened. I was speechless until I sat down on the bench. I had nothing to say. My teammates were going crazy for me. It was awesome.”
Off the field, Ajou is becoming known as one of the best dancers on the Clemson Tigers Football Team.
“I don’t know where my dancing skills come from honestly, I remember as a kid in the talent show I would pop-lock-and-drop it. I guess it just took off from there.”
Ajou isn’t just here at Clemson for college football though. The freshman has his eyes set on a professional career, whether that be in his homeland of Canada or in America.
“I’m in the south right now, so I’m really trying to make it to the NFL, but wherever god takes me, he’s got a plan for me.”
The wide receiver has only two catches this season, with one of them going for a touchdown. With a name like Ajou Ajou, it won’t be hard for the Canadian to make a name for himself in Tiger Town.
Clemson welcomes Boston College into Memorial Stadium this weekend, with kick off set for noon and can be watched on ABC.
