The Canes have landed their first defensive lineman commit in nearly two months, securing key target Ezekiel Ayangbile.
A 6-foot-3, 275-pound defensive tackle, the four-star product has played across the line for his high school, Langham Creek, but projects as a tackle at the next level with his strength and frame.
The Houston native powers through opposing offensive lineman with impressive punch power, using his length to generate separation at the line.
Ayangbile also moves well for his frame as he uses his impressive football IQ to adjust to leverage and get in the backfield.
Ayangbile’s the son of former five-time Pro Bowler and 16-season veteran Duane Brown, and track athlete Ciera Ayangbile. Both parents are Virginia Tech alumni, making it even more impressive that the Canes were able to pull off this recruitment over the Hokies and LSU Tigers.
One key factor in this recruitment was the effort of defensive tackle coach Damione Lewis, who made multiple visits to Houston to get this recruitment over the line — and notably played with Brown on the Texans.
“The coaches down here really know what they're doing,” said Ayangbile following his spring visit. “They have great ideas and great teaching that they do on these kids, and I feel like they're really developing to be NFL talents.”
“Everybody that I met down here in terms of coaching has a great soul and a great spirit, and I think it's really just awesome because you don't have to connect with one specific person — you can be cool with the entire staff if you wanted to.”
Ayangbile pushes Miami to double digits in its 2027 class, becoming the tenth commitment this cycle.
He joins a defensive line room with Key West product Josh Johnson, as the room will continue to develop across the next few months.
