Former ballboy Ayodele signs deal with Cowboys
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RVING, Texas (AP) -- The Dallas Cowboys signed linebacker Akin Ayodele to a five-year contract Monday, giving them another former college defensive end to play the outside of their 3-4 defense opposite last year's top draft pick DeMarcus Ware.
The move is a homecoming for Ayodele, who was a ball boy for the team during his days at Irving's MacArthur High School.
Ayodele was an all-conference end at Purdue who became a third-round pick by Jacksonville. He's played all 64 games, starting 46 times, and has had at least 100 tackles in each of his four seasons with the Jaguars. He's also had 81/2 sacks and three interceptions for his career, plus forced eight fumbles, four of them last season.
The 6-foot-2, 246-pound Ayodele likely will take over on the left side. Al Singleton started last season there until getting hurt, then was replaced by Scott Fujita. On Monday, Fujita signed with the New Orleans Saints.
Ayodele is the second free agent the Cowboys have lured from another team, joining offensive lineman Kyle Kosier from Detroit. Dallas also has re-signed offensive lineman Andre Gurode.
Associated Press.
