The Pearland Oilers got off to a rough start last season.

Coming off Hurricane Harvey, the Oilers opened with Manvel. The Mavs crushed Pearland 45-7, but the Oilers also lost one of their stars on defense in Gilbert Ibeneme with and ACL, MCL and meniscus injury.

“The rehab has been tough, but this whole process has pushed me to be a better me,” he said. “It’s driven me to come back faster and stronger.”

Ibeneme will be cleared in June and his injury hasn’t kept college recruiters from offering the 6-foot- 3, 255-pound defensive end.

“Recruiting is going well, but I’m not eyeing just one particular school at the moment,” he said. “I plan on going out of state this summer and checking out schools who have offered me.”

He has offers from the likes of Oklahoma, TCU, Texas A&M, Texas Tech and Houston, just to name a few.

“My most memorable moment would have to be either receiving my first offer or the day I tore my ACL,” he said. “Both sides of the spectrum.”

While Ibeneme prepares for a breakout senior season, he will be playing for his third coach in three years. Legendary coach Tony Heath retired and gave way to interim James Farmer last season. The Oilers named Ricky Tullos as the new coach a few months ago.

“The new staff is cool,” he said. “Coach Tullos and I are already off to a good start along with the other new staff members. Culture wise, not too much has changed. We still seek the same things as any other school. That’s to win a state championship.”

Having been on the shelf last season, Ibeneme had time to watch his favorite players J.J. Watt, Khalil Mack and Von Miller, who he patterns his game after.

“In five years, I’d like to see myself in the NFL like those guys,” he said.

For now, the big-man is ready to test that knee under the Friday Night Lights.

This article appears in the April Issue of VYPE Magazine. Pick up your copy at any one of our locations today!

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