Elic Ayomanor Interview: '[I'm] A Tough Assignment In Coverage'

Stanford wide receiver Elic Ayomanor recently announced his decision to declare for the 2025 NFL Draft. The timing is right, considering he produced nearly 2,000 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns across the previous two seasons. Ayomanor is a big-bodied weapon who moves like a slot receiver.

Ayomanor recently spoke exclusively with The Draft Network. He discussed his decision to declare, playing multiple positions, his pre-draft training process, falling in love with football from a small Canadian town, and so much more.

JM: You were born in Medicine Hat, Alberta, Canada. How did you fall in love with football in such a small Canadian town?

Elic Ayomanor: Like most Canadians, I started playing hockey and basketball and running track at a young age (laughs). I’ve always been a competitive person. I love playing competitive sports. It was in my blood from the very beginning.

At some point, one of my best friends introduced me to football. It was another sport for me to play, something new for me to compete in. As I got older, and this is still true today, the more I played football, the more I fell in love with its intricacies.

It’s such a complex, multifaceted game. Football is the most team-oriented sport I can think of. Combining those two things together, it just made me progressively fall in love with football more and more.

That’s where I’m at today. It’s really my passion.

JM: You moved to New Jersey first and then Massachusetts to attend high school. At what age did you realize football was something you could take seriously and possibly make a career out of?

Elic Ayomanor: The day that I decided to move to New Jersey for my sophomore year was the day that I began taking football very seriously as my future goal. Right then and there, my goal was to someday play in the NFL.

JM: Speaking of, you recently announced your decision to declare for the 2025 NFL Draft. Congratulations! Why did you feel now was the right time?

Elic Ayomanor: I held many discussions with my family, our coaching staff at Stanford, and some representatives in my corner. At this moment, I feel both mentally and physically ready to make the leap. I’ve always felt that way because I love football. That’s just how I’m wired.

I was waiting on receiving a draft grade from the advisory board. When that news came in, it was favorable. It was good news. From there, it became a business decision. It’s the right choice for my future.

I feel extremely confident that I’m ready for the next level. My pre-draft grade indicates the same. My opportunity has arrived. I feel good about it. I’m super excited. I’ve spent the majority of my life preparing for this. I’m excited to attack the opportunity. I’ve always had that same mindset.

JM: The timing is right. You just strung together two big seasons at Stanford, totaling nearly 2,000 receiving yards and 12 TDs. What were some of the factors that led to that production?

Elic Ayomanor: Everything came together for me. A lot of preparation went into that success. I always prepare with maximum intent to succeed. The coaching staff at Stanford trusted and believed in me. My teammates prepared the same way that I prepared.

And I believed in myself. When all of that comes together, and your coaches and teammates are working toward the same goal, and there’s real belief, dedication, and hard work being poured into the process, positive results are inevitable.

That’s what happened for me at Stanford. I feel incredibly blessed and humbled to have received that opportunity.

JM: You put in the work. You're a big-bodied guy, listed at 6-foot-2 and 210 pounds. Do you see yourself playing that “X” boundary role for an offense at the next level?

Elic Ayomanor: I can play every wide receiver position. I’m definitely a bigger guy at 6-2, 210, but I move well for my size. I feel very fluid coming in and out of my breaks. I’m very mobile. I think I can play in the slot if that’s what a team wants me to do. I have really good, reliable hands over the middle. I think those characteristics make me a fit for a slot role as well.

I definitely have the size and traits to play “X” receiver, like you said. I just don’t want to limit myself. If anything, I think I’m a versatile dude. I can do a lot of great things for an offense. That’s part of what makes me a great football player and a good receiver.

JM: On that topic, you also have terrific long speed. You averaged nearly 15 yards per catch at Stanford. Because of your size, do you feel like your speed catches DBs off guard?

Elic Ayomanor: I think it’s a little bit of everything that allows my skill set to catch them off guard. They watch the film as well, so they should be able to identify my long speed on tape. My speed and combination to shut it down and change direction at the top of routes, all of that makes me a tough assignment in coverage.

I’d like to think that I’m a very well-rounded receiver. That’s the goal at the end of the day, to do everything well.

JM: As you go through this training process, what are some areas of your game you're looking to improve over these next few months?

Elic Ayomanor: I always want to be a better route-runner. That’s a huge thing. I need to get better over time. It doesn’t happen overnight. I’m going to keep working hard because there’s always room to improve.

I’m going to stay consistent throughout this process. The NFL is all about consistency. That’s the biggest goal I need to achieve as I head to the next level. I want to be consistent in all areas. My ability is there, but terrific consistency comes through reps and preparation. I’m looking forward to it.

JM: Does Elic Ayomanor prefer to face man or zone coverage?

Elic Ayomanor: It’s all the same to me. Either way. I love both man and zone coverage. That’s what it takes to be a great receiver. You have to be comfortable and be versatile enough to win against all coverages. I want to succeed against man and zone.

It goes back to that consistency. It takes beating man and finding soft spots in zone. I need to be great against both. In order to do that, you need to be comfortable with all coverages.

JM: We've appreciated your time. This has been fantastic. What do these next few months look like for Elic Ayomanor?

Elic Ayomanor: I’m going to start my pre-draft training process on Boxing Day (12/26). I’ll be training hard and locked into the process. I’ll be getting on the board and doing some board work.

Obviously, the NFL Combine is huge. I’m preparing to knock the testing process outta the park. I want to continue improving my draft stock as much as possible. I’m going to keep the same habits that got me here. I’m going to do what I know, and that’s working hard. I respect the process.

That’s what I’m going to do throughout my entire career.