Diamond in the Rough: Ezra Bagent

Photo given to me by Ezra Bagent.

Ezra Bagent is a class of 2023 quarterback out of Martinsburg High in Martinsburg, West Virginia. Standing at 6’0” and weighing 180 pounds with a 3.7 GPA, the senior benches a 260 and squats a 350. Ezra Bagent – the younger brother of Shepherd University star QB Tyson Bagent – is the kind of guy you want to build your offense around, with the ability to put the ball where it matters – on the field, and off. Earlier this week, I was given the opportunity to speak with Bagent.

Q: Why do you play the game?
“I play the game because I love it. I’ve played it since I was a kid, and I always watched my brother play it. I just love football.”

Q: Where do you see football going in your life?
“I see it taking me places. Like, off to college and places like that. Just getting me out there, getting my name out there, things like that.”

Q: What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned playing football?
“I’d say – with life too – just play the next play. Anything that happens in life, just look forward to what’s next.”

Q: What does football mean to you?
“Football means a lot to me. It’s taught me a lot of things, especially a lot of life lessons.”

Q: What challenges have you overcome?
“Not playing much my freshman and sophomore year. Sitting the bench a bit, learning visually, and I got to go out there my junior year and went off.”

Q: What motivates you to keep playing?
“I’d say my brother motivates me to keep playing because he’s doing really great in college right now. He plays for Shepard University, he’s a DII quarterback, and he’s won the Harvard Hill award. My family helps keep me motivated too, so really it’s my family.”

Q: How do you balance sports with your other responsibilities?
“I think it’s easy to balance football with my other responsibilities right now, because all I got is school work. So just making sure that everything else is done before I watch film at night – making sure my homework is done, doing yoga before I go to sleep, and making sure I get everything in before I go and watch film, or try to do anything else with football practice.”

Q: Do you have a favorite football memory?
“My favorite is my first football game ever [at six years old]. I remember my brother taking me down to the basement and warming me up for the game. I then went out and scored the game-winning touchdown, so I remember that very fondly.”

Q: How do you stay trained and in football-shape during the offseason?
“My dad owns a crossfit gym, so we do crossfit every day in the summer. If we’re not doing crossfit, I’m somewhere else doing something creative [to stay trained]. I like to stay in shape.”

Q: How are you looking to improve your game?
“I’d say just working every day. Running a lot, getting my speed better, and just processing the game faster than I do right now. Just knowing if he goes right, I go left. If he goes left, I go right. Stuff like that.”

Q: On the other side, what is the strongest aspect of your game?
“I think that my passing ability and my accuracy is my biggest ability, just being able to put the ball where I want.”

Q: What are some goals you’ve set for yourself?
“Going and winning the state championship, and being undefeated this football season [while doing so]. We’re 2-0 right now, and we have [a good opponent] this Friday and a big game next Friday. [It won’t be easy.]”

Q: Do you try to model your game after any players, past or present, pro or collegiate?
“I’d say my brother is my guy, the guy I follow. I train with him every day, and I just think he’s the best.”

Q: What is your favorite part of playing quarterback?
“Probably the leadership role. Being able to talk to anyone on the field, telling them exactly what to do, and knowing that they can’t say nothing back, or if they do, that you have an answer for them. Just knowing what’s going on, all over the field. I’d say that is the best thing.”

Q: Do you consider football to be more physically challenging, mentally challenging, or a bit of both?
“From a quarterback perspective, more mentally challenging. I don’t get hit as much [as the quarterback], and I watch all my players get crushed every play. So I know what it’s like. So for me, the mental side is harder.”

Q: Is there something you want your coaches to know about you, whether that’s past, present, or future?
“I want them to know that I don’t give up and I’m the last one on the field after every practice.”

You can view his highlights here.