A couple years ago we brought you the story of Kalani Zoller of Marysville, Washington. Zoller had been offered some walk on opportunities. But nothing panned out for the big Hawaiian kid.

Now four years later Kalani is going into his fourth year at Western Oregon University and is a Pre-Season All American.  It was late July at the Brian Derby Offensive Line Camp in Salem whereZoller made a surprise walk on to camp at age 19 and was noticed. A few days later the 6’5″ monster was on his way to Monmouth, Oregon to play for the Wolves.

Now comes the subject of this story.

A chat message came to us this week. A young man asked us to look at his room mate who is sharing his dorm during Summer school at the University of Oregon. Of course we obliged.

Only 5 minutes later we were on the phone. The film we saw was on of the most convincing pieces of highlight footage we have ever seen.  So we needed to know more.

Dirk Knudsen: OregonPreps.com
Ayele Forde Mixes Drawing, Faith, and Football

Now for the rest of the story.

In Victorville, California there are some very good players. One of them last year at Silverado High School was running back Ayele Forde.

Forde was named All League at the end of the Season. The 5’8″ and 175 pound back ran for 1,200 all purpose yards and averaged 7.8 yards per carry leading his team to an 8-3 record despite the fact they were very young.

He was an All League Safety his Junior season.

Forde then ran a 10.8 100 meter time in track pre-season before pulling his hamstring. His collegiate football recruitment was pretty much off the radar.  Other then a few small schools he was not given much attention.

But there is more to this story. More to this kid as well. He is gifted and holds a vision for his future on and off the field.  He is still only 17 years old.

“I am going to be an animator after college.  This is something I am driven to do.  Art and Football are my two loves,” said Forde when we interviewed him from his dorm at the U of O Summer school.

He is talented too.  We looked at several pieces of his his work. Because U of O has an animation program he is there to see how he likes it.

“I go to Summer school every year just to get ahead.  I had enough credits to graduate High School when I was a Junior,” said Forde.

Now Summer is in session and the Ducks players are beginning to work out.  That includes Texas phenom Lache Seastrunk.

“Ayele looks like he is just as fast and as strong as any of these guys.  I do not understand why he is not on scholarship somewhere,” said his room mate Nate Jones who has seen Forde working out.

Forde will try and afford the over $30,000 dollar a year of out of State tuition at Oregon.  That will be a tall order however.

“One of the things is that my mom always took care of me.  She did.  But there was never an extra penny so I was never able to go to a combine or camp or any of that.  I am sure that hurt my chances to be recruited,”  Forde said thoughtfully.

His father has never been a big part of his life so Forde and his sister relied primarily on their mother who did a great job by all accounts.

“My father is form Guyana in South America.  He was a competitive soccer player and a marathon runner.  I do speak to him often but he has not been a very big part of my life as I don’t see him too much.”

A review of his film is proof enough that despite his height he should have been a Division 1 recruit.  His speed, lateral ability, and power to blow up would be tacklers is all evident.

In an attempt to learn more we called his Coach Carl Posey.  Coach shared our wonderment.

“It is something that bothers me to this day.  He is the real deal and such a terrific kid.  We all ask ourselves everyday what more we could have done.  He belongs at the Division 1 or 1 AA level without question,” said Posey.

As far as his future Forde hopes for a shot.  Because he has not signed a National Letter of Intent he should still be eligible to move wherever he wishes.  He is still available to any team that needs an athlete of this caliber.

“I want to make my studies first but need to play ball on a scholarship if that can happen.  So I am going to look at any opportunity that comes up,” he said.  “I can tell you after being around the current Ducks who are on scholarship that I can compete at this level for sure.”

Forde was also a finalist for the  ATHLETE OF THE YEAR in California. 

Beyond his football achievements Forde won the 200 and the long jump at the Desert Sky League finals and was on the league record-setting 4 x 100 relay team.  He also finished third in the 100 at the finals.  He did all of that with a torn Hamstring which is now 100% healthy.

Ayele was also nominated for the Person of the Year by the Daily Press in Victorville.  This came as a result of his work in school, his art, his pursuit of music, and his work within his church.  Forde was noted for his Goal setting and his ability to do anything he has set his mind to.?

“He has set an example for the youth in the church,” his pastor Kevin Cobb said. “When he has a goal, he really puts his best into it.”

Now back to football.

Ayele Forde is an academic qualifier.  He is as gifted of an athlete as we have seen.  He is goal oriented.  And right now he is looking to make a move.

“After coming back from a work out he looked at himself in the mirror,” said room mate  Jones. “I will never forget what he said cause it gave me goose bumps.”

“I can compete with those guys! I will go out and prove them all wrong!  I’ve been criticized all my life because of my size. No more,” said Forde.

In a perfect world some University or College reading this would sweep in and pick up this talented young man.  There is no doubt that this is the time of the year that many schools find themselves without as players often do not academically qualify.  They can come and get Forde for next year.  That could still happen.

Whatever happens Aleye Forde is working on his skills, his art, his grades, and his goals.  In the end it appears that is all going to make a great work of art.