Offensive lineman Malik Agbo using his experience on talented Texas teams to help WVU football
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MORGANTOWN -- West Virginia offensive lineman Malik Agbo is from Federal Way, Washington, which is just outside of Seattle. He went to high school at Todd Beamer High and played on both sides of the line. Agbo had the metrics of a Division I offensive lineman. He was 6-foot-4 and 320 pounds.
Agbo received multiple Division I offers as a 4-star lineman and was the 23rd offensive tackle in the class. Agbo headed south and joined new head coach Steve Sarkisian's squad at Texas. The Longhorns were loaded in 2022, with NFL talent at every turn. Texas had Bijan Robinson at running back and wide receiver Xavier Worthy at receiver, to name a few. Agbo played in two games that season as a true freshman.
He ramped up in Year 2, with just as talented a team. Texas went 11-1 in the regular season, won the Big 12 and made the College Football Playoff. Agbo played in 14 games.
But Agbo was used in a unique way. He was used in the jumbo package as a tight end. He was primarily an extra blocker, but he caught a pass in the Sugar Bowl against Washington.
"I thought that was pretty cool," Agbo said.
Agbo played even more the following season. He appeared in all 16 games, even playing in the College Football Playoff semifinal against Ohio State.
Throughout his time at Texas, Agbo was surrounded by talent, especially at running back. He blocked for Robinson, Jonathan Brooks, Roschon Johnson and Jayden Blue, who are all on NFL rosters. He said there were similarities between the Mountaineers' running back Cam Cook and Robinson because they are both really hard to bring down.
"Talking about like a contact guy, he doesn’t go down when you first tackle him much," Agbo said. "Seeing Cam run and seeing Bijan run my freshman year or whatnot, and seeing the type of balance those two guys have, I think that’s pretty unique to see. I think that’s pretty cool."
Agbo had a lot of experience under his belt and was on highly successful teams. But he wanted a change of scenery and transferred to WVU before the 2025 season.
"Texas, a lot of good people there, great staff," Agbo said. "Hard to leave a place like that."
From Washington to Texas to West Virginia, Agbo's been everywhere. Morgantown reminded him of home.
"I think that it was kind of a culture shock," Agbo said. "From West Coast vibes of Cowboy hats and brisket and all that to West Virginia. Even if it's a smaller environment, the people are a lot closer. There’s lots of forest trees and stuff, and it kind of reminds me a lot of back home in some parts of Washington... Coming here was easy. I love it. I made the right decision."
Agbo only started in one game in 2025 for the Mountaineers, but saw action in all 12 games. He logged 174 offensive snaps. This season, Agbo has made one start and played in all eight games. He's been a big help on the field, blocking for one of the top rushing teams in the country, and is starting to see a bigger role as his career comes to a close.
Despite not starting for a while, Agbo hasn't kept his head down.
"Really, just coming in every day and having the mindset of being in the game for five years and knowing that having the offensive line experience with good coaches throughout my career, I think prepared me for now," Agbo said. "That’s a big part."
Agbo's mindset is what Rich Rodriguez and the staff want to see in every player on the team, which is why he's been a big addition for the team off the field in the locker room. He is a redshirt senior and played at the highest level at Texas, including multiple conference championships and playoff games, but that hasn't made him entitled.
WVU has a lot of young offensive linemen on the team, including former 4-star Kevin Brown, who has started at left tackle this season, from a big high school recruiting class this offseason. They can learn a thing or two from Agbo.
Only 11 players can play on the field at a time, and a couple on the offensive line. Even after playing at the highest level, Agbo has been patient to earn more playing time.
"Being a fifth-year senior, you know some things along the way," Agbo said. "I feel like me playing offensive line and playing multiple positions on the offensive line along my career has helped me. Kind of have a base experience and help the younger guys kind of come along and tag along and show them how things are done here and how things are supposed to be done here.”