Join Thomas Bingham and Wac as they discuss the ripple effect that the Coronavirus is having on the world of professional, college and high school sports. They react to the cancellation of March Madness, NCAA national championships and college conference games, the delayed finish for the NBA, NHL, UIL, TAPPS, SPC and TCAF seasons and the results of the new NFL CBA. They also discuss how Coronavirus affects the 2020 Summer Olympics, update you on the season-long spring sports pick 'em battle, predict when sports will return to form and Wac shares a big personal announcement.
Locker Talk ATX/SATX Special Episode: Coronavirus Affects HS, College & Pro Sports www.youtube.com
For more sports coverage, follow Thomas (@Texan8thGen) and VYPE (@VYPEATX/@VYPESATX) on Twitter.
Looking to get more involved? Check out ShopVYPE for fresh gear that supports local schools and the VYPE U Ambassador Program. To sign up for the VYPE U Program, apply at VYPEU.com.
People always say you're a reflection of those you surround yourself with.
If that's true, Ezekiel Ayangbile has been blessed with one of the strongest support systems imaginable.
His mother, Ciera Ayangbile, was a standout thrower for Virginia Tech's track and field program. His father, Duane Brown, was a first-round NFL Draft pick out of Virginia Tech who went on to play 16 seasons in the league, earning five Pro Bowl selections while becoming one of the most respected offensive linemen of his generation.
So, when Ayangbile walks into a room, it's hard not to notice.
At 6-foot-3 and 270 pounds, the Langham Creek senior looks every bit the part of a future Power Four defensive lineman. But what stands out even more than his size is his maturity. Having grown up around professional athletes, he carries himself with the same confidence, humility and professionalism that have been modeled for him his entire life.
"I have had an amazing circle around me my entire life," Ayangbile said. "From my grandparents, to my mom, to my dad... they've always preached to be a great person first.
"Being around the game with my dad, I've had people like DeAndre Hopkins, J.J. Watt and Russell Wilson speaking life into me at a very young age. Not just my family. Not a lot of kids have that type of circle that always has their back."
That foundation has shaped far more than his football career.
Originally, Ayangbile's future appeared to be on the offensive line, where he began his high school career at tackle. But Langham Creek's coaching staff saw something different. They envisioned him wreaking havoc on defense.
The move changed everything. As he settled into his new role, Ayangbile immersed himself in studying the game's elite pass rushers.
"I started watching players like Myles Garrett and Kayvon Thibodeaux and their technique," he said. "I just worked on my own moves to get my bag up."
With a relentless motor, long arms and explosive first step, Ayangbile has developed into one of the premier defensive line prospects in Texas, attracting national attention before committing to the University of Miami. The Hurricanes' resurgence under head coach Mario Cristobal made the decision an easy one.
"It's getting ready to be like the glory days of the '90s and early 2000s," he laughed. "Miami ain't playing games no more."
For Ayangbile, the attraction went beyond the uniforms and tradition.
"What drew me was their development," he said. "They are producing NFL first-rounders at my position, and that's what I want. They know what they're doing."
While football has opened countless doors, it doesn't define who he is.
Away from the field, Ayangbile enjoys expressing himself creatively through writing and music, passions that allow him to slow down and reflect away from the demands of football.
"I'm really into writing," he said. "If I can write what I want, I can put something on paper. I also am getting into music in a big way."
Ask him what legacy he hopes to leave behind, and the answer has nothing to do with tackles, sacks or recruiting rankings.
"What really means the most to me is that people see my character," he said. "I want to impact people on and off the field and be known as a great teammate and friend."
With NFL bloodlines, elite talent and a future in one of college football's premier programs, the spotlight will continue to follow Ezekiel Ayangbile.
But if you ask him, the greatest measure of success won't be found in accolades. It will be found in the impact he leaves on the people around him.
Shadow Creek defensive lineman Xavier Muhammad enters his final season of Texas high school football with a new jersey, a new environment, and the same relentless approach that has fueled his career.
One of the offseason’s biggest storylines was Muhammad’s move from South Houston to Shadow Creek, a transition prompted by his father accepting a job within the district.
While changing schools presented a new challenge, Muhammad’s adjustment has been anything but difficult — quickly finding his footing with the Sharks.
“I love it there,” Muhammad said. “The guys welcomed me right away when I moved over, and I’m excited to keep building with them, make plays, win games and chase a State championship. I’m just trying to have fun and enjoy my final journey through high school.”
Muhammad’s path to becoming a standout defensive presence began long before the Friday night spotlight. It started in little league, where his size introduced him to a higher level of competition at an early age.
“My football journey started when I was in little league,” he said. “I actually always had to play up because I was bigger than everybody else in my grade, so I had to play with the 2026 class growing up.”
That early adjustment helped shape the athletic foundation Muhammad continues to rely on today — one that extends beyond football. Basketball has also played a significant role in developing the coordination and footwork that separate him on the edge.
“Basketball definitely helps translate to the football field with my coordination and my footwork, especially for my size,” Muhammad said. “A lot of people with my size aren’t always coordinated, so basketball really helps with that and most definitely translates to football.”
As Muhammad enters his final season, he understands the viewership that comes with being one of Shadow Creek’s standout defenders — and he plans to turn it into an advantage.
“I plan on just being disruptive on the field and using that target on my back,” he said. “If people are focused on me, it lets other people get free and make big plays, and I think that’s going to be the main factor for us to make a deeper playoff run.”
That selfless mentality shows the mark Muhammad hopes to leave with the Sharks before beginning his next chapter at Michigan. More than individual honors, he wants his time at Shadow Creek to be remembered through the culture he helped strengthen.
“I want to leave a legacy where people never forget about me,” he said. “Every year they bring me up or compare future players to me and talk about how I impacted the team.”
Dana Strange (VYPE)
Bradley C. Collier (VYPE)
