Pirates Sign WR Kelly Akharaiyi

By: Mick Moninghoff

The 6'1", 200 lb. wideout signed as an undrafted free agent with the Buffalo Bills of the National Football League in July of 2025 and later that preseason was in camp with the Arizona Cardinals.

In 2026 he was drafted by the St. Louis Battlehawks of the UFL, but opted to sign a contract with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats of the Canadian Football League this May and joined them in training camp.

Akharaiyi had three stops during his collegiate career. His final season was at Mississippi State where he played 11 games making seven starts in 2024. Akharaiyi had 25 receptions for 391 yards and two touchdowns. His play earned him an invitation to the 2025 Senior Bowl. He also earned recognition in the classroom as he was a member of the SEC Fall Academic Honor Roll. His signature game was his first start against Georgia where he had three receptions for a season high of 72 yards and two touchdowns.

A native of Irving, TX, Akharaiyi played at the University of Texas El Paso in 2023 and 2024. In 24 games he earned 18 starts and compiled 69 receptions for 1,308 yards with eight touchdowns. An All-Conference USA First-Team selection in 2024 he had 48 catches for 1,033 yards and seven touchdowns. His best day came in a win over Florida International where he had eight receptions for 223 yards and two scores. In 2023 he was also a Conference Commissioners Academic Honor Roll member.

Akharaiyi began his college journey at Tyler Junior College in Texas where he played in 2020 and 2021 where in 12 games he had 52 receptions for 681 yards and six touchdowns. 

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