2027 Langham Creek DL Ezekiel Ayangbile Discusses Notre Dame Offer
Notre Dame continues to do its due diligence across the country in the 2027 recruiting class and extended a significant offer earlier this week to defensive lineman Ezekiel Ayangbile.
The 6-foot-3, 270-pound prospect knew the Irish had been showing interest for a couple of months, but things picked up Wednesday night when he spoke with defensive line coach Charlie Partridge.
“Coach Partridge wanted to offer me on the spot,” Ayangbile told ISD. “We had a great conversation. I'd actually heard a couple of months ago that they were interested in me from a coach who’s a friend of my mom's.
“He was just really enthusiastic to talk to me. He ended up getting back with everybody and offered me two minutes after calling me. It was great.”
While Ayangbile’s relationship with Notre Dame is still developing, the Texas native is well aware of the program’s reputation.
“It’s another milestone in terms of offers,” explained Ayangbile. “There aren't that many programs that can compete with them in football and just overall as a program. It's an amazing program, very prestigious and very notorious for sending people out to the NFL and having them compete at a high level. I know it's not just like any other day for me. It’s definitely a big deal.”
The Langham Creek (Texas) standout is currently working on scheduling spring and official visits. While he isn’t rushing his recruitment, Ayangbile believes it’s critical to experience each program in person before making a decision.
“I'm not close to making my decision and I’m locking in these visits so I can really actually get to these programs,” explained Ayangbile. “I feel like a lot of kids make a mistake of just seeing programs online or seeing them on TV and based on that, they'll jump the gun and be like, ‘Alright, these are my top schools.’ I gotta get to these places first before I can actually make a decision.”
When it comes to a position at the next level, Ayangbile, who holds over 30 offers, could see himself playing on the edge or inside at 3-tech.
“I’m being recruited at a 3-tech or edge position,” said Ayangbile. “Coaches are looking at me at both positions. A lot of coaches are taking advantage of my ability to play all across the line.
“Some of the programs are telling me that they're going to have me holding in on edge or have me holding in on 3-tech. It's just really nice having those options and being available to a lot of schools because of my playstyle.”
Ayangbile doesn’t have a preference on where he ends up, as he has the confidence to succeed at either spot.
“I would like to be developed anywhere where I can be a weapon for my team and produce the best,” stated Ayangbile. “That’s where I want to be. I had a lot of success coming off the edge, but at the same time, I play 3-down, so maybe 3-tech will be better for me from what I’m used to.
“It doesn’t matter to me. I’m ready to go play anywhere.”
Ayangbile is one of the more mature prospects in the class, so it’s not a shock that he already has a good idea of what he’s looking for in a future school.
“I’m looking for a brotherhood,” said Ayangbile. “I’m looking for a group of guys who will stick around with the NIL thing going around. I want to find a bond and chemistry because that’s what I’m used to since middle school. It’s where I produce and thrive the best.
“I want a good coach who can develop me because my goal is to get to the highest level of football. I want a decent education so I can make good decisions for myself out of school and when I’m out of football, whenever that time comes.”
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