Ajou Ajou, a former wide receiver for the CFL Saskatchewan Roughriders, was signed by the Indianapolis Colts on Friday to a reserve/future contract.

“Ajou, who is 6-3 and 218 pounds, participated in 12 games for the Canadian Football League’s Saskatchewan Roughriders in 2024 and recorded 20 receptions for 307 yards and two touchdowns. In the seventh round (59th overall) of the 2024 CFL Draft, he was chosen by the Roughriders. At Garden City (Kan.) Community College, Ajou played in seven games over one season in 2023 and recorded 17 receptions for 186 yards and two touchdowns. He made one appearance at South Florida in 2022 and hauled in two receptions for nine yards. Ajou played in 22 games at Clemson (2020–21) before coming to South Florida, where he caught eight passes for 114 yards and one score. The pronunciation of his name is uh-JOE.

Ajou earned a RAS of 5.28 out of 10.0 as a Clemson wide receiver prospect.

What else is being said about the young wideout from just north of the border is as follows:

Even though they don’t have a star quarterback yet, the Colts currently have a deep wide receiver room thanks to Josh Downs, Alec Pierce, Michael Pittman Jr., and AD Mitchell. There is always a chance to remain lower on the depth chart, though, especially if a backup like Ajou can establish himself on special teams.

We’ll see what transpires, but Ajou ought to be given an opportunity during preseason and training camp to gain a spot on the Colts’ 53-man active roster or possibly their practice squad.

Lou Anarumo is hired by the Indianapolis Colts as defensive coordinator to oversee a quick and orderly defense.

Lou Anarumo was named the new defensive coordinator of the Indianapolis Colts on Tuesday. After serving as the Cincinnati Bengals’ defensive coordinator for the last six seasons, Anarumo, who has more than 36 years of coaching experience, joins the organization. Throughout his long career, he has coached football in both the NFL and college, with a focus on defensive back coaching. Shane Steichen, the head coach of the Colts, was thrilled with Anarumo’s leadership skills and strategic mentality, highlighting his ability to create a quick, disciplined defense.

Tenure and defensive accomplishments of the Bengals
Anarumo was always successful during his time with the Bengals, especially when it came to making opposing quarterbacks’ jobs tough. In terms of interceptions, pick-sixes, and passes defensed, his Cincinnati defensive groups consistently placed among the top in the NFL. The Bengals’ defense placed in the top 10 in these areas in 2024. Under Anarumo’s direction, defensive end Trey Hendrickson also tied a career-high 17.5 sacks, demonstrating his defensive brilliance.

Anarumo’s performance during the Bengals’ 2021 Super Bowl run was among his most noteworthy accomplishments. His defense, which held opponents to an average of 20.5 points per game, was essential in his victories over formidable opponents like the Kansas City Chiefs and Las Vegas Raiders. Notably, the Bengals pulled off a stunning comeback victory in the 2021 AFC Championship as his defense shut down Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes in the second half.

Prior NFL and collegiate football coaching positions

Anarumo coached defensive backs for the Miami Dolphins and New York Giants prior to joining the Bengals. In 2015, he was also the Dolphins’ temporary defensive coordinator. He started his coaching career in college, serving in a variety of capacities with programs at Purdue, Marshall, and Harvard. Anarumo’s lengthy tenure as a college coach prepared him well for his 2012 NFL debut.

Anarumo, a native of Staten Island, New York, began coaching football at the high school level before moving on to college football. He worked as a defensive back and special teams coach after graduating from Wagner with a bachelor’s degree in 1990. Along the way, he had important positions at prominent colleges like Harvard, where he met Joe Philbin, who eventually hired him for the Dolphins. Anarumo’s approach to player development and defense has been influenced by his extensive coaching experience.