Adeniyi happy with choice
Bush graduate will suit up for University of Toledo this fall
Ola Adeniyi figured he was headed for a Division II or Division III college to play football when he got a pleasant surprise last winter
coach from the University of Toledo visited Adeniyi’s Fort Bend Bush campus looking to find out more information about his teammate, B. J. Jones. When the coach found out Jones had already committed to play basketball in college he thought he was out of luck.
That was until Bush coach Allen Aldridge showed him Adeniyi’s film. The college coach liked Adeniyi enough to call him that evening. A scholarship offer followed soon after that.
That part is a big deal for the linebacker. His mother pays for his older brother to attend Columbia (N.Y.).
“It’s great having a scholarship so she doesn’t have to worry aboutmoney at all,” Adeniyi said.
Adeniyi closed out his high school career last week by leading the West team to 7-0 victory over
the East team in the Bayou Bowl. Playing in the middle of the field, Adeniyi caused havoc on the East team’s offense all night.
This is not a normal time for high school players to play in full pads at full speed. Adeniyi said hewas thankful for the opportu--
“This feels so great playing one more time and getting my last high school ‘W’. We had a great run. All of my teammates were great. I’ll never forget them.”
Ola Adeniyi, Bush graduate
nity.
“This feels so great playing one more time and getting my last high school ‘W’,” he said.
Adeniyi had the same effect on opposing offenses during his junior and seniors years with Bush.
As a senior he had 76 tackles, including 18 for loss. He had 14 tackles for loss as a junior. The Broncos went 19-5 the last two seasons, winning two playoff games in the process. Their defense has emerged as perhaps the toughest to crack in Fort Bend ISD.
“We had a great run,” Adeniyi said. “All of my teammates were great. I’ll never forget them.”
Nowhe sets his sights on his college career. He said Toledo coaches expect him to play outside linebacker.
The Rockets are perennial contenders in the Mid-American Conference. They are coming off a 7-5 season. Toledo’s non-conference schedule includes games against power conference schools Missouri, Cincinnati and Iowa State. They played in bowl games in 2010, 2011 and2012.
Adeniyi said he loves the campus and is impressed by the school’s academic records. One record he’d like to leave with is the school’s sack record.
“They have me playing their Leo linebacker where I can rush the passer and drop in protection,” Adeniyi said. “It’s a great fit for me.”
Adeniyi was not the only local player to compete in the Bayou Bowl. Terry’s Kendall Oliver and Kishawn McClain, Foster’s Luke Lionberger, Hightower’s Eddie Nickles, Ridge Point’s Arien Ferguson, Dulles’ KarlKalubi, George Ranch’s Ladontia Jones, Clements’ David Mercerand Fort Bend Marshall’s Arthur Johnson also played.
Now in its 12th year, the Bayou Bowl changed from a contest between Houston-area all stars and Louisiana all stars to one that includes only Houston-area players. It was playedon June 14 at Fort Bend ISD’s Mercer Stadium.