Former Saskatchewan Roughriders receiver Ajou Ajou played his first preseason game in the NFL with the Indianapolis Colts against the Baltimore Ravens on Thursday night.
"It's a dream come true," Ajou told the SportsCage. "It was awesome to get out there involved with the guys. It was a surreal moment for sure. "
The six-foot-three, 218-pound pass catcher finished with three receptions for 18 yards in a 24-16 loss at M&T Bank Stadium.
"The coaches want to see everybody play and everybody's reaction," Ajou said. "Coach said young guys be ready and that's all I was doing, staying ready. That fourth quarter came and threw us in there."
Ajou spent his collegiate career at Clemson University from 2020 to 2021 and then transferred to the University of South Florida in 2022. He played for Garden City Community College in 2023.
Luckily for Ajou, there was one person he knew at Colts training camp.
"The kicker Spencer Shrader, I went to the University of South Florida with him. It was awesome to reconnect with him," Ajou said. "It's really cool because he's one of my best friends on the team. He's giving me motivation, telling me to stay in it. He's a very Godly man."
Ajou did not find it hard to settle into the NFL style versus what he had become used to in the CFL.
“To be honest, it's a little quicker game out here, not much of an adjustment,” Ajou said. “Playing faster off the line, getting a guy right in your face playing press coverage and whatnot but other than that though, it's football for me.”
Ajou spent one season in the CFL with the Riders last year. He suited up in 12 games for the Green and White, registering 20 receptions for 307 yards and two touchdowns. In 2025, Saskatchewan has the best record in the CFL at 7-1 and are currently first place in the West Division.
"I am so proud of them. It's always been that next man mentality in that [receiver] room. There are a lot of guys in there that can make plays and it's nice to see it happening," Ajou explained.
"My dog KeeSean [Johnson], that was my roommate. My boy Dhel [Duncan-Busby] over there, Dohnte [Meyers], Tommy [Nield], I just met Tom, he's a good guy. Big Mitch [Picton], Mr. Reliable. Shout out to Samuel [Emilus]. Shout out to Drae McCray, I met him too. Shawn Bane Jr., Bane's World stopped playing. Like all my guys, they're rooting for me. They all text me and whatnot. One game at a time, telling the boys to keep going."
Saskatchewan is enjoying a bye week and returns to the field on Saturday, August 16 at Mosaic Stadium against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. Catch the pre-game show with Teagan Witko, Justin Dunk and Wes Cates at 10 a.m. Dave Thomas and Luc Mullinder have the game call at 1 p.m. You can hear extensive coverage on the 620 CKRM Co-operators Rider Broadcast Network.
