Nathan Isles, Ayodeji Olatoye, and Luke Tendler have made it to the big league after leaving their legacy on North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University’s athletic programs.
Nathan Isles, football
Former right tackle for the Aggies, Nathan Isles is member of the Seattle Seahawks practice squad. Isles (6-5, 324, Atlanta, Ga.) came to N.C. A&T to play defensive line. During his sophomore season, he was an addition to the Aggies offensive line as right tackle. He helped Tarik Cohen lead the conference in rushing in 2013. Isles recorded more than 1,500 snaps, started 31 games, and made 42 appearances. During training camp, Isles ran the 40 in 6.01 seconds, the short shuttle in 5.29 seconds, the 3-cone in 8.81 seconds, and registered a 21inch vertical.
Deji Olatoye, football
Deji Olatoye, a transfer from University of Colorado made the Baltimore Ravens practice squad. Olatoye (6-1, 194, Dublin, Ohio) started all 21 games.
In his career as an Aggie, he recorded 78 tackles, picked off five passes and broke up 13 more. He played in 10 games with 10 starts and started three games at free safety. He was tied for 54th in the nation and second on the team in interceptions.
Luke Tendler, baseball
Luke Tendler, a former All-American baseball player at N.C. A&T is off to a new professional career for the Spokane Indians.
As an Aggie, Tendler started in all 51 games and finished with a .369 average, 25 doubles, four triples, five home runs and 34 RBI. He was ranked sixth in the nation in doubles, and ranked among MEAC leaders in average, hits, RBI, doubles, home runs and total bases. He picked up first-team All-MEAC honors and Louisville Slugger third-team All-American honor. The left-handed batter ended the 2014 season hitting .400 with 11 home runs, 57 RBI, 13 doubles, two triples and 31 runs scored in 39 games played. Tendler (5-11, 190, Wilmington, N.C.) was selected with the 876th overall pick in the 29th round of the 2014 MLB amateur draft by the Texas Rangers on June 7.
He played his first game for the Indians, a Class A Short Season organization in the Pacific Northwest, on June 13.
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- Janay Boone Sports Editor