Kayinsola Ajayi has raced his way to a full-time professional contract.
Auburn’s national champion sprinter, from Lagos, Nigeria, announced Thursday that he has signed a pro contract with Adidas and that he’ll be forgoing his senior season at Auburn.
“This one is for the Ajayi family,” he said on Instagram on Thursday — with a heart emoji. The contract should be a lucrative after Ajayi swept the indoor and outdoor sprint titles at NCAA meets this year, winning the NCAA Championship in both the indoor 60-meter dash and the outdoor 100-meter dash.
Ajayi represented Nigeria in the 2024 Paris Olympics, though he didn’t make the final in the 100-meter. Now as a full-time professional, he’ll have his sights firmly set on the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics — and on making the final, and even the medal stand.
Ajayi joins former teammate Ja’Kobe Tharp in having signed with Adidas in the pro ranks. Tharp announced he’d be signing and forgoing his senior season back on July 1. Ajayi’s decision took a bit longer — but ended with the same company.
“None of this would have been possible without them,” Ajayi said of his family. “Their sacrifices, constant encouragement, and unconditional support have been the foundation of every step I have taken. From the earliest races to the biggest stages, they have remained my greatest source of strength and motivation. This achievement belongs as much to them as it does to me.”
Since winning the national title at NCAA Outdoors on June 12, Ajayi’s has made some successful first steps on the pro circuit (earning invites while still maintaining his amateur eligibility, up until now).
He won the 100-meter dash at the Prefontaine Classic in Oregon on July 4, racing his way to matching the Nigerian record time of 9.84. He bested the reigning world champion Oblique Seville of Jamaica, who won at worlds in Tokyo in 2025.
Then, he won again at a Diamond League pro circuit meet July 18 in London at Olympic Stadium. He ran another blistering 9.84.
“Now, it is time for new beginnings,” Ajayi continued his statement. “I am grateful to God to finally announce that I am officially embarking on the next chapter of my journey — continuing my professional track and field career with adidas.”
After his family, the first person he thanked was new Auburn track and field head coach Ken Harnden, who worked closely with him throughout his career as Auburn’s sprints coach before his promotion this summer:
“To the Bus Driver (Hardnen): thank you for the tough love, the unwavering belief, and the standard of excellence you never allowed us to drop,” Ajayi wrote. For his teammates, he added:
“To dem boys: you made the hard days lighter and the wins sweeter. I will carry the brotherhood with me always.”
Yes: The video he shared with his announcement showed a clip of him finding dapping up Tharp after his race in London.
