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Wayne State University Athletics

2026 Football Transfers

Football Jeff Weiss, Senior Associate Director of Athletics/Media Relations

Football Adds A Trio Of Transfers

Ajayi, Beachum and Blackmon join Warrior football program.

DETROIT -- With football student-athletes arriving on August 8 and camp beginning on August 10, we will start doing articles on the newcomers.  This first batch of transfers include linebacker Emmanuel Ajayi (Saint Paul, Minn. / North Saint Paul [Penn West Clarion]), offensive lineman Elijah Beachum (Marlin, Texas / Chilton [Mary Hardin-Baylor]), and running back Trent Blackmon (Appleton, Wis. / Appleton North [North Dakota State College of Science]).

Emmanuel Ajayi, 6-1, 230, LB, Sr., Saint Paul, Minn. / North Saint Paul (Penn West Clarion)
2025:  Appeared in all 11 games for PennWest Clarion making one start ... totaled 29 tackles (13-16) ... credited with 3.5 tackles for loss (1.5 sacks) with two forced fumbles (Wheeling and Seton Hill), an interception and a quarterback hurry ... recorded a sack vs. Wheeling and a half-sack against Shippensburg ... made a season-high seven stops (2-5) in 21-20 setback at Edinboro ... tallied two solo tackles in four different contests ... had a three-yard interception return vs. Seton Hill.
 
2024:  Played in 10 contests for Sierra College of the California Community College Athletic Association (3C2A) Norcal Division ... made 65 tackles (19-46), including seven for loss (1.5 sacks) ... recovered a fumble in a 43-35 win over San Francisco ... notched a pass break-up against Shasta ... credited with a season-best 12 tackles (3-9) vs. Shasta ... totaled 11 stops (3-8) vs. Santa Rosa ... recorded a sack at Butte.
 
2023:  Appeared in five games for the Sierra College Wolverines ... tallied 29 tackles (5-4), including a season-high 14 stops (3-11) in a 31-28 loss to the Sequoias in the season finale ... notched solo tackles for loss against Santa Rosa and the Sequoias ... credited with a pass break-up vs. the Sequoias.
 
2022:  Redshirted at Sierra College (Rocklin, Calif.).
 
High School:  A 2022 graduate of North Saint Paul High School ... was a three-year letterwinner for the Polars ... served as a football team captain as a senior for coach Jared Lyle ... also played basketball for NHS.
 
Personal:  Full name -- Emmanuel T. Ajayi ... born on December 24, 2003, in Saint Paul, Minn. ... son of Mercy Ajayi ... has an older brother, David, and an older sister, Victoria ... plans to major in Business ... last name is pronounced A-ji-yee.

Elijah Beachum, OL, 6-2, 296, R-So., Marlin, Texas / Chilton (Mary Hardin-Baylor)
2025:  Did not see any game action for the NCAA Division 3 the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor Crusaders.

2024:  Spent the season developing with the junior varsity team at the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor.

High School:  A 2024 graduate of Chilton High School ... was a three-year varsity letterwinner for coach Benny Huitt ... primarily played offensive tackle for the Pirates but also saw action at defensive end ... earned All-District recognition on both offense and defense ... helped the Pirates to a 13-2 overall record as a senior, after CHS had a 12-1 mark in 2022 ... also participated on the basketball team and in the band ... graduated with Academic honors.

Personal:  Full name -- Elijah D. Beachum ... born on July 5, 2006, in Temple, Texas ... son of Demetrius and Vickie Beachum ... has an older brother, Jason, and two older sisters, Laqesha and Janetra ... plans to major in Sociology.

Trent Blackmon, RB, 5-10, 195, R-Jr., Appleton, Wis. / Appleton North (North Dakota State College of Science)
2025:  Attended Wayne State, but was not a member of the football program in the fall.

2024:  Played in three games for North Dakota State College of Science in Wahpeton, N.D. ... had five carries for 13 yards.

2023:  Appeared in two contests for the NDSCS Wildcats ... both carries came in the season opening win over Jamestown JV totaling 10 yards.

2022:  Played in three games for Minnesota North College - Mesabi Range ... gained 12 yards on two carries, both against Minnesota North College-Vermilion.

High School:  A 2020 graduate of Appleton North High School ... was a two-year letterwinner for the Lightning ... primarily played running back for ANHS.

Personal:  Full name -- Trenten D. Blackmon ... born on September 7, 2001, in Appleton, Wis. ... son of Kelly Recker and Horace Blackmon ... is a (Digital) Marketing major ... named to the Coach's Honor Roll (term GPA 3.0-3.49) for Winter 2026.
 
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Players Mentioned

Trent Blackmon

Trent Blackmon

RB
5' 10"
Redshirt Junior
Emmanuel Ajayi

Emmanuel Ajayi

LB
6' 1"
Senior
Elijah Beachum

Elijah Beachum

OL
6' 2"
Redshirt Sophomore

Players Mentioned

Trent Blackmon

Trent Blackmon

5' 10"
Redshirt Junior
RB
Emmanuel Ajayi

Emmanuel Ajayi

6' 1"
Senior
LB
Elijah Beachum

Elijah Beachum

6' 2"
Redshirt Sophomore
OL