2022 UW Target Malik Agbo, Son of An African Prince, Represents Recruiting Royalty
Malik Agbo's heritage runs deep within his character. His father is a Ghanian prince. In multiple languages, the name Malik means "king."
Agbo, an offensive-line recruit for the Washington Huskies, hopes to one day reconnect with his culture. For now, one of the lessons he's learned is to have mutual respect for others.
The sophomore from Todd Beamer High School in Federal Way, Washington, thinks highly of the nearly dozen schools recruiting him up, from Washington to Tennessee, and they hold him in great esteem, as well.
He calls the Huskies' offer "huge." That word is a relative term in the Agbo household for the 6-foot-6, 312-pounder, where he is the second-biggest person who lives there.
"With all of the stuff coming through, that's always been a dream school for me," he said remembering when he came upon the UW offer.
Overcome with excitement when he received two offers from FBS programs in the mail on the same day, Agbo is tasked with sorting and prioritizing offers from 11 programs across the country and counting.
Amid the novel coronavirus chaos, Beamer High's right tackle continues to push for success despite the uncertainty. He spends his time taking part in backyard workouts to stay in shape and optional school packets to boost his grades.
“There is always room to improve,” Agbo said.
Unfazed by the major adjustments to daily life by the pandemic, Agbo modifies his schedule as he goes. His mentality will be a boon to whatever program signs him as part of the 2022 recruiting class.
Agbo became eager to take his game to the next level when he put on football pads for the first time as a kid. His ambition to succeed comes both on and off the field.
Agbo’s academic record demonstrates holistic approach to the recruiting process. He's searching for a program that diversifies and utilizes his potential. Football is just part of his makeup. He has a adopted the mindset that he wants to be seen for the many facets of his character.
"Not just as a football player,” Agbo said.
He's grown up in modest surroundings and is motivated to put his family in a better position one day. He might own a company. He intends to succeed, both in and out of football.
Agbo has an appreciation for friendships found on the field, using a supportive group of friends to push him to exceed his own expectations. His older teammates have encouraged him to take his classroom work seriously.
He and his Beamer teammates this past season made it to the state football playoffs but lost to Auburn Riverside in the first round.
A versatile athlete, Agbo plays basketball at Beamer. When he's out on a fast break, "the opposition tends to avoid taking a charge," he said. He's a force in the paint, although his coach is no fan of his Shaq-like, rim-bending dunks.
"My first dunk was when I was 15," he said with a laugh. "Coach said I should take it easy on the rim."
If not for the pandemic, Agbo would be competing in the shot put in track and field for Beamer, trying to return to the state meet.
He had planned to visit Washington and attend what was going to be an enhanced Husky spring football game, one seeking a big fan turnout, but it was cancelled because of concerns over the virus outbreak.
Agbo will patiently wait for the world to reset and find his place in it when the time is right.