When I came back to Texas from Oxford, I didn’t think it would be a stay this long. But much like college football, the storylines always tend to stray away from anything conventional. Being back home in Texas gave me the chance to return to what I love most—recruiting and evaluation. It was no longer just about watching film and writing stories; it was about being deep in the process in one of the nation’s top recruiting grounds.
Over the past seasons, I’ve been part of numerous recruiting journeys—even if they don’t always lead back to the Sip. With the Texas pipeline flowing back to the Velvet Ditch, I won’t deny it just means more to see one of your kids get that coveted call from Ole Miss.
The Evolving Landscape of Football
These days, football is an ever-evolving landscape where each play can shift momentum dramatically. One player whocaught my eye from the jump has been ‘27 Ezekiel Ayangbile out of Langham Creek in Houston. My instinct told me it was only a matter of time before he emerged on the scene. Whether he’s anchoring down or exploding off the edge like a coiled spring, Ayangbile combines raw strength with quickness that disrupts opposing offenses and forces coaches to rethink their game plans.
Standing at 6-foot-4 and weighing 265 pounds, this Navy All-American currently ranks as the No. 28 defensivelineman for 2027 and is considered the No. 31prospect out of Texas per 247Sports. This past season during his junior campaign he had 60 tacklles, 4.5 sacks,10 TFLs,1 fumble and 5 blocked kicks.
A Rising Star in Defensive Trenches
When it comes to rushing the passer, Ayangbile consistently demonstrates impressive agility that sets him apart at the Power 4 level. While there are areas for improvement in his speed—minor adjustments that won’t significantly hinder his performance over the next two years—his true strength lies in run defense.
Ayangbile exhibits an exceptional ability to explode off the line effectively stopping and containing threats before they can reach outside lanes. Despite his size and frame, he leverages them advantageously while maintaining remarkable athleticism and agility. He skillfully navigates around offensive lines, pursuing ball carriers with relentless determination.
The Versatile Defensive Tackle
With extraordinary athleticism and size, Ayangbile possesses all the makings of a future defensive tackle—a fact that has not gone unnoticed by several SEC schools including Ole Miss. Although most of his reps at Langham come as a defensive end (DE), he understands that showcasing his defensive tackle (DT) traits could open new opportunities for him.
His capability to dominate in the middle is evident; he engages hefty guards without hesitation while consistently disrupting run plays. That quick reaction off the line? It’s not just impressive—it’s a game-changer! Whether pressuring quarterbacks from various angles or splitting gaps with finesse, Ayangbile knows how to bring down a QB effectively.
The Recruiting Battle in The Sip
It was only a matter of time before SEC programs took notice—and ironically, both his offers lie within “The Sip” with Mississippi State and Ole Miss both offering. I caught up with Ayangbile this offseason to discuss his Ole Miss offer and delve deeper into his recruitment journey.
Ole Miss 365: What does it mean to get your 2nd offer out of the SEC from OLE Miss?
Agyanbile: “First off, it’s a blessing. Being as undervalued as I feel I am it’s nice to see a bigger program that genuinely sees something in me. Second off, it makes me feel good. This is one of the biggest programs in the country and knowing that I have the capability to compete at this level makes me exited for the future
Ole Miss 365: What has stood out about the program, especially being one of the best defensive units in college football right now?
Agyanbile: “Seeing how everyone on the field gets after it. One of my favorite aspects of football is the competition and Ole Miss surely brings it.”
Ole Miss 365: What are you most looking for in your future home?
Agyanbile: “I say it every time, a brotherhood. Boys that are gonna stick together and fight for each other to the end!”
Ole Miss 365: Are there any other schools right now that are recruiting strongly and standing out in your recruitment?
Agyanbile: “Houston, Baylor, TCU, Miss State, Texas Tech, Pitt, Memphis, Northwestern”
Ole Miss 365: What do you believe is your x factor skill set?
Agyanbile: “My aggression and “want to” that I bring to the defensive line 4 quarters of a football game.”
While his offer came prior to the Kiffin departure for LSU that didn’t change his attention any less from the opportunity to continue being recruited by Pete Golding. “Honestly, it was a bit unexpected. I thought Coach Kiffin would have most likely stayed due to the program’s success, especially in recent years, but I guess you really never know what happens behind the scenes. I just hope it works out for him. As for Ole Miss, I haven’t changed my viewpoint on them at all. We just have to see how the Rebels do these next couple of years! I wish the best of luck to the both of them!”
As we spoke about his aspirations and goals moving forward, it became clear that he remains focused yet excited about what lies ahead. His commitment towards improving every facet of his game indicates that he won’t be just another name on a roster; he’ll be someone who makes waves when Saturday rolls around. Ezekiel represents everything exciting about high school football recruiting today—a blend of talent coupled with hard work leading toward potential stardom at higher levels like SEC competition.
You just never know where the journey of scouting the next talent will lead you but when “Mama Calls!” as they say, you should listen. We will be on hand in just a few short days to see Ezekiel and fellow Rebel prospects take the field for the Navy All-American Bowl and combine in San Antonio.