Watch CBS News

Fins On 4 Rookie Of The Week: Jay Ajayi

Follow CBSMIAMI.COM: Facebook | Twitter

DAVIE (CBSMiami) – Dolphins rookie running back Jay Ajayi found the end zone a lot in college – 50 times to be exact. But an old knee injury and rumors about his durability dropped this bruiser to day three in the NFL Draft.

"It just sucks, you know. The fact that you have these outside sources and reports that were false and stuff like that. You want to say something about it, but it's not your place to," Ajayi said.

Miami was more than happy to take hi, and both sides hope his play on the field can prove his critics wrong.

"I definitely run angry. I want to punish defenders and just be like a train. Run through everything and make sure I get to my destination which is the end zone," he said.

Now that he's a pro football player, he'll need to learn the cameras are always on – something he found out the hard way at Boise State.

"One of my teammates, he suggested the pickle juice to me. I was like sure I'll try anything. I just wanted to make sure I could stay on the field. Me being oblivious to the cameras and knowing that you know it's an ESPN game – I'm chugging pickle juice on the sidelines and it's full of pickles and everything. And I'm feeling like good like I'm ready to play," he said. "We end up winning the game, have a great game and I go to my phone and I'm viral news now. I'm memes and vines and everything, so I learned a valuable lesson that day for sure."

Landing with the Dolphins was a blessing in disguise for this British-born back who'll get the chance to play at home in London in week four against the Jets.

"That's going to be huge. Being from London, being British born and being able to go back home and have that home town support from everyone out there. It's going to be amazing. Throughout the redraft process that was a question that was asked, 'What if you go to a team that plays in Wembley?' And now I am," Ajayi said.

Be sure to check out our FinsOn4 Live Dolphins Blog where we will be posting season-long coverage, updates, photos, video, commentary and more throughout the entire 2015 season.

Watch Miami take on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers this Thursday at 7 p.m. on CBS4, your official Dolphins station! 

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.