Five members of the 2023 Villanova Football team will get a shot at the next level, as two Wildcats signed NFL free agent contracts and three others have been invited to participate in rookie mini camps.
Highlighting the list is running back Jalen Jackson (Richmond, Va.) and offensive lineman Nick Torres (Whitestone, N.Y.) who both signed free agent contracts with Jackson joining the Jacksonville Jaguars and Torres the Kansas City Chiefs.
Three Wildcats were invited to attend rookie mini camps including linebacker Danny Abraham (Seattle Seahawks), running back TD Ayo-Durojaiye (Chicago Bears/Kansas City Chiefs) and wide receiver Jaaron Hayek (Kansas City Chiefs).
Jackson led the Wildcats in rushing in 2023 with 132 carries for 981 yards and nine touchdowns. For his efforts last season, Jackson was named second team All-CAA and he finished his Wildcat career ranked sixth all-time in program history in rushing yards with 2,548. He also rates second all-time in the Villanova record books for yards per carry at 6.3.
The versatile Torres was a mainstay along the Villanova offensive line throughout his career. This past season, he started all 13 games at guard and helped the Wildcat offense average 31.9 points per game and 424.9 yards of total offense, including 214.5 rushing yards per contest.
Abraham served as a team captain this past season and ranked third on the team in tackles with 64 total stops (35 solo) to go with 6.5 tackles for loss, three sacks and two interceptions. One of the interceptions was returned 69 yards for a touchdown in a win at Delaware.
Ayo-Durojaiye excelled on offense as a runner and pass catcher, in addition to being a special teams standout. He finished the 2023 season with 89 carries for 444 yards and eight touchdowns, 16 receptions for 169 yards and one score to go with 10 special teams tackles. He was rewarded for his play by being named second team All-CAA.
Hayek ranked second on the team in receiving in 2023 with 35 catches for 457 yards to go with four touchdowns. Hayek finished his career with 11 games of 100 yards receiving and he ranks fourth all-time in career receiving yards with 2,744 and receiving touchdowns with 29.
