Interview: 2019 Miami JUCO OLB Peter Agabe Already a Speed Rush Extraordinaire with Growing Talents

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG

The word athlete gets tossed around freely in the football universe. The term can apply to a multidimensional player capable of playing different positions on both sides of the ball, a player that might be a “tweener” without a true defined spot on the roster as of now, or, in the case of Peter Agabe, a player that is just flat out athletically gifted. After a short time in the U.S., Agabe is already displaying raw athletic talents that could one day make him a devastating weakside defensive end at the Division-I level.

Beyond Agabe’s story on the field, his off the field journey is really interesting. A love for American football was born in Nigeria. After playing for a local team, Agabe took the unsure step to the U.S. with all the confidence in the world. The move landed him at Orlando Christian Prep in 2016 and to ASA Junior College in Miami for the 2017 season. In what one could easily term a natural, Agabe used his growing athletic abilities during his true freshman season coming up with 30 stops, 16 solo, 5.5 sacks, and five forced fumbles.

There are a few undeniable points that pop off the screen when watching film on the 6-2, 215 pound, outside linebacker. First is his speed. With a reported 4.6 time in the 40-yard dash, Agabe makes left and right tackles look like sloths trying to figure out what is going on around them. Another scouting point is his motor; there is no quit in his game snap to whistle. His power and explosiveness is evident. With a bench over 320 pounds and a squat over 450, Agabe uses his strength to shed blocks on running downs to make plays. Lastly, the upside. His knowledge and use of the technical aspects of the game is ever growing, but all the other variables are there, speed, size, strength, and, most importantly, want-to.

In a Recruiting News Guru exclusive interview, I sat down with one of the rising stars in the 2019 JUCO ranks covering his transition to college football during his freshman season on the gridiron.

Interview

Peter, your story is unique. What was the transition like for you going from Florida high school football to the junior college level?

“The transition is one you have to make no matter who you are. It was simple for me. I made that decision to go JUCO, and I was able to make it happen.”

What adjustments to your game did you have to make to play up to the JUCO level from Florida high school football?

“I had to adjust my game a little bit but not much. In high school, my job was just go get the quarterback. In college, I had to shed blocks and learn more about the position. I had to learn how to stop the run better. I was so fast in high school, they just had me go get the ball. I had to learn more about the game this year and that is what I did.”

How did you push your talents forward during your freshman season with ASA?

“My game got better. I was lifting and doing extra work to make sure I got better. After every practice, I would do more drills. I was always doing extra work. I’m a gym rat. I am always conditioning pushing myself to get better.”

Where all did you play on the field this year?

“I was at linebacker and defensive end. Even though I may not be the biggest, I have what it takes to do the job.”

Which game was your best this season?

“My best games were the Georgia Military, Snow College, and Fort Lauderdale games.”

What did you do well in those games that made them your best?

“Against Georgia Military, I had 2.5 sacks with three forced fumbles and some tackles. Against Snow College, I had seven tackles. Their offensive line was talking to me telling me I was too much (laughs).”

What do you plan on working on this offseason?

“This offseason, I want to increase my get off. I want to work on shooting my hands so the o-line cannot touch me. I need to work on fighting off double-teams. I did well against double-teams in the season but I want to work on it. I can always use my speed to make plays, but I want to work on technique to get better overall.”

Are any schools showing recruiting interest in you?

“South Florida, Duquesne, Florida Atlantic, Bethune-Cookman, New Mexico State, Stetson, Pittsburg, and Arkansas State are all showing interest.”

Have you received any offers yet?

“Out of high school, I had an offer to UTSA (Texas-San Antonio). At the JUCO level, I have received an offer from Hampton.”

Nice. Do you have any visits planned upcoming?

“This weekend Bethune-Cookman wants me to visit.”

How is school going this semester?

“I left high school with a 3.89 GPA. Right now, I have 3.5 GPA.”

What is your favorite course?

“Math.”

We’ve talked about what you want to work on in the offseason, what goals have you set for this offseason?

“My goal is to increase my bench max, my speed and agility, and my flexibility. I am told I am athletic but I want to get better. I don’t want people to be able to stop me off the edge. I want to be better than I was last season.”

With a year of junior college experience under your belt, is there anything you are going to do differently next season that you believe will help push your game to the next level?

“Double my effort. I put in a lot of effort, I want to do more. I want to be a better player than before. I want to be even more in beast mode – I want to be 200 percent beat mode – big and freaky.”

Last question, how has the transition from Nigeria to the U.S. been for you overall?

“I feel blessed. My guardian, Darrel Waller, treats me like a son. He is doing everything he can to help me. He has been my backbone in the U.S. He is pushing me to be better each day. He works out with me – he’s been a great help to me. I know this will all work towards a bigger goal. I am that piece schools are searching for. I can do it. I’m thankful to all my coaches that have helped me so far. I love them all.”

Peter, thanks for your time today and good luck with your offseason workouts.

“Thank you.”

*Click link to see Peter Agabe’s 2017 Hudl highlight reel

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Photo credit: Agabe family; Peter Agabe on the field, and at South Florida (2017)