Emil Ekiyor hails from Big Ten country. But right now he has his eyes on the SEC.
Ekiyor is a four-star offensive guard from Cathedral High in Indianapolis. He is just a sophomore, so he won’t play in college until 2018.
Recruiting analysts have predicted Ekiyor will end up at a Big Ten school. But the 6-foot-3, 285-pound lineman says that may not be true. In fact, his favorite school right now plays in the SEC.
“I would say Tennessee,” Ekiyor told SEC Country. “Just because the coaches, I have a great relationship with them. I know the program is in good hands with Butch Jones. I just really like the setup there and everything. The whole academic setup there is really good.”
Ekiyor likes the thought of playing in the SEC.
“I think the SEC is a totally different level,” he said. “I would much rather play in the SEC than the Big Ten, but if a school in the Big Ten fits me, then I’ll have to consider that also.”
Ekiyor visited Tennessee on Oct. 10, and saw the Volunteers beat Georgia 38-31.
“I love Tennessee,” Ekiyor said. “That’s my favorite place so far. I love everything about it.”
Ekiyor currently has scholarship offers from Tennessee, Georgia, Kentucky, Indiana, Michigan, Louisville, N.C. State, Toledo and South Florida. He should receive many more offers in the near future.
Last weekend, he visited Clemson and saw the Tigers beat Wake Forest 33-13. But even though he was watching the No. 1 team in the nation play in its home stadium, in Ekiyor’s eyes, it didn’t compare to his experience at Tennessee.
“It didn’t have the same feel as a Tennessee,” Ekiyor said.
Ekiyor has attended football camp at Kentucky, and enjoyed his experience there.
“When I went for camp, I really enjoyed it,” he said. “But this year’s games, I mean it was tough. I know they’re going in the right direction. I like the facilities and everything, but they’re still like not there yet.”
