Alabama eyeing Canada for its next international target

Steve Mboumoua has one of the most intriguing recruiting journeys many will follow during this cycle. The 6-foot-4, 260-pound defender saw numerous scholarship offers arrive in June after attending various camps including an offer from Alabama. 

BOL spoke with Coach Jean Guillaume, a well known high school coach and trainer based in Canada who has helped bring many recruits to the United States to compete in football camps, and Coach Marc Andre-Dion, Mboumoua’s head football coach. Our conversation included comments from Mboumoua regarding his first trip to Alabama. 

Mboumoua moved to Canada from Cameroon with his mom, brother, and sister when he was 12-years old. They arrived in Lac-Mégantic where in 2013 one of the worst disasters after a train derailment killed 47 people and destroyed roughly half the downtown buildings. 

Football isn’t a new sport to Mboumoua. He began playing at 12-years old and has mainly been a linebacker the last few years. He was also a running back for his high school Coach Yannick Thibault, and the Montignac Béliers.

He currently attended CEGEP at Notre Dame de Foy, a pre-university educational school. High School students graduate after grade 11 in the province of Quebec. Students attend CEGEP schools prior to attending a four-year university. Notre Dame de Foy competes in the RESQ D-I Football League.

The 19-year old was seen for the first time by Coach Guillaume in Quebec City earlier this year where he was invited for his recruiting expertise and recommended Mboumoua embark on the summer camp circuit. 

The first stop was at the Wayne State National Showcase where more than 75 colleges were in attendance. He also attended the Mercer mega camp. The offers started flowing after both events.

The early offers included Arizona State, Boston College, East Carolina Liberty, Memphis, Mississippi State, Minnesota, Penn State and USF. Boston College was the first school to offer during the spring after the Eagles Director of Recruiting, Jason Tudryn, visited Quebec City in the spring. 

Many college football programs expect Mboumoua to grow into a defensive lineman when he enrolls at the school of his choice. He worked at the ‘Jack’ linebacker position and rushed off the edge. He also worked on the defensive line.

Tennessee invited him to meet with Coach Josh Huepel after his camp performance, but decided to wait to extend an offer.

The group attended a camp at Auburn, but a storm ended the day before it began. The staff liked what they saw from a physical perspective and offered him shortly after the visit.  He also attended a Mississippi State camp earning an offer from the Bulldogs.

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Alabama is ‘King Kong Country’

It was time to attend camp in Tuscaloosa or as Coach Guillaume describes it, “King Kong Country.” A player without many offers prior to the summer receiving an opportunity to play for Nick Saban?  A dream has turned into a reality.

“I told him that this is his one shot, you can’t flop and you have to give it your all,” Coach Guillaume said. “He was dominant at camp. Coach Freddie Roach said he loved him. Coach Saban wanted to see us after the camp ended.

“He asked about Steve’s story and why did he not know about him. They didn’t have any film, but wanted to see it as soon as possible. Coach Saban told Steve they want him at Alabama, and they would stay in touch.”

The film was evaluated by Coach Saban and the defensive staff. Four days after Mboumoua performed in Tuscaloosa he, along with Coach Guillaume and Coach Dion, had a phone call with Coach Saban confirming an offer from the Crimson Tide.

“I really like the coaching staff,” Mboumoua said of Alabama. “I really liked talking to Coach Saban. He is a great person. He has changed my life.

“What I like about Alabama is the expectations they have for you. I like the players they develop, and I love the coaching. I like Coach Freddie Roach.”

Alabama has signed a few players from Canada during Nick Saban’s tenure including sophomore defensive lineman Isaiah Hastings, and Houston Texans wide receiver, John Metchie. Mboumoua spent time with Hastings during the trip to Tuscaloosa. Coach Guillaume connected the two with each other after arriving at camp.

The Alabama lineman watched Mboumoua go through drills and one-on-ones during camp while providing feedback and support. The two are now friends through social media and have discussed what it’s like going through the recruiting process. 

This was not Coach Guillaume’s first time in Alabama. He has connected with Coach Tracy Varner who helps runs MadHouse Training in Montgomery. He plans on bringing Mboumoua to the training facility in the future to work out with the men who have trained several current and former Alabama players including Mack Wilson, Khurtiss Perry, Qua Russaw and James Smith.

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What’s next?

A few other schools like Florida and Georgia will host him later this month. LSU is also trying to get him in for a visit prior to the fall. Alabama and Mississippi State remain steadfast in its pursuit as Mboumoua’s camp is eyeing a return visit to Tuscaloosa in September or October.

Coach Marc-André Dion knows he has a special talent with the athletic ability to do great things at his future home. He has seen Mboumoua post 25 reps at 225-pounds on bench press while squatting more than 475-pounds.

“I think his motor is the main thing,” said Coach Dion “He just never stops. He constantly pursues. He is raw, but powerful. In our final game last year he had three forced fumbles. It’s amazing for one game. That tells you a lot about his strength.

“This is the first time we’ve had a kid like him getting this amount of crazy offers. It’s unique and very impactful for kids in this area. A lot of people don’t think it’s feasible. We are proving that it is. This is just the beginning.”

Alabama is possibly considered ‘King Kong’ to a lot of people. The Tide is proving it will recruit internationally. Alabama added its first commitment from Germany on Sunday. Is Cameroon/Canada next? Mboumoua is the first player in the RESQ D-I Football League to receive an offer from the Crimson Tide.

Stay tuned to BamaOnLine to find out more on Mboumoua’s pursuit from the national powerhouse program. He is expected to enroll in late January. Talk with the BOL staff on the RoundTabe-HERE

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