Some would say that a little kid at home managed to catch the eye of the greatest coach in American college football history, Nick Saban, at the University of Alabama. However, “little guy” would be a fun expression to describe Notre-Dame-de-Foy campus defensive end Steve Bolo Mboumoua, a six-foot-tall, 260-pound athletic monster.
Mboumoua only played one collegiate season after being a real discovery in the small Béliers program at Polyvalente Montignac in Lac-Mégantic.
Nick Saban, on the other hand, needs less introduction. With 50 years of coaching experience and seven national championships, he is the only NCAA player to have led two programs to top honors. Suppose he saw snow.
A rare encounter
However, who is considered the king of American varsity football said he was ready to recruit the Quebecer.
Accompanied by Notre-Dame du CNDF trainers, Mboumoua first traveled south of the border to mega camps in front of 30 campuses in Detroit and Atlanta.
The force then made its way south to other camps on the campus of the prestigious SEC conference, namely Tennessee, Auburn, Mississippi State and Alabama.
Saban and his staff were able to observe 400 players and only three of them received an invitation to meet the Emperor in his office.
“I found it rewarding. It’s definitely impressive coming from Canada and walking into his office. It’s a different world than just seeing it on TV. When he starts talking to you and says to you, “We were impressed by what we saw, we want you to play for us… It’s sure to change the whole game,” summarized the promising sportsman during a meeting organized by Notre-Dame. Lady.
Steve Bolo Mboumoua enjoyed his time at the Crimson Tide facilities in Alabama. PHOTO BY FACEBOOK / MARC-ANDRÉ DION
Multiple offers
There’s no doubting it, Mboumoua is just starting to get people talking about him. While he has yet to receive an official offer from Saban, he has received nine scholarship offers including Boston College, Penn State, Minnesota, Arizona State, South Florida, Memphis, Liberty, East Carolina and Mississippi. State. He also attended the Michigan Wolverines.
Not bad for a player who just a few years ago played eights football and also acted as a ball carrier.
“I realize how lucky I am, it’s a privilege. I tell myself that nothing comes for free. If I’m there, it’s because I listened to the advice and used the tools my coaches gave me. I put it into action, I did what I had to do at the gym and left the rest to God.
exceptional athlete
Steve Bolo Mboumoua is attracting more and more attention at CNDF. PHOTO ROCH LAMBERT / CNDF
For the CNDF, the opportunity was great to counter the offensive by American prep schools, which are recruiting more and more talent from Quebec.
“We want to show that our university network is in the best league for the development of our young people. “It’s a great response to the exodus we’re witnessing,” argued CNDF’s director of institutional development, Pascal Masson, whose program has enlisted the services of Jean Guillaume, a consultant with many contacts.
In addition to his immense talent, Mboumoua impresses with his stature.
“If you end up somewhere with Steve, it’s not good for the others. Nobody told me that I have a beautiful figure! He’s so extraordinary,” laughed head coach Marc-André Dion.
The following
For now, Steve Bolo Mboumoua doesn’t feel the need to commit and will obviously be upping the ante. He could give a university a verbal promise, but the marriage won’t be official until February 1st.
“You can look at that and immediately say you’re going to Alabama, but is that the best situation? When you have offers like him, that’s not necessarily the case. “You have to keep all doors open,” said Dion.
Two other players cause a stir
About offensive lineman Hackman Pierre could be a topic of conversation in the coming months. PHOTO ROCH LAMBERT / CNDF
There isn’t just one CNDF player making waves in the United States these days. Offensive lineman Hackman Pierre and his defensive line teammate Thomas Gosselin are also on the radar.
Gosselin also made the pilgrimage to the United States with the CNDF delegation. At 6 feet, 3 inches, and 305 pounds, whoever can measure 32 reps of 225 pounds on the bench press (bench press) in terms of raw strength was up against America’s best hopes for brute strength elsewhere at Boston College at the time of the CNDF Press conference.
“He was dominant and got a lot of attention. The sad thing is that he hasn’t received an offer yet, but a lot of people are talking about him and rating him. In such a process Steve lives his dream and Thomas lives the disappointment. It’s an ambivalent feeling, but it’s never happened, the interest that Steve gets, so we’re behind him,” said head coach Marc-André Dion.
A difficult situation
For his part, Hackman Pierre is going through a complex process for various reasons. He and his family left Haiti after an earthquake and settled in the New York area from 2014 to 2017.
They then decided to come and settle in Quebec, but Pierre still lives with refugee status, which prevents him from following his companions to the camps in the United States.
On the other hand, scouts from the Boston College and Syracuse programs traveled to Saint-Augustin in May to spy on Notre Dame players, and Pierre immediately received an offer from Boston College.
“In my case, you have to be patient. I will improve and the universities will see what I do more. It will help me to get offers. I’m very happy because I don’t rush anything,” commented the young man.
Defensive end Steve Bolo Mboumoua, head coach Marc-André Dion and offensive lineman Hackman Pierre proudly represent the Notre-Dame-de-Foy campus. Photo Stephane Cadorette
More programs could move to the Stade Leclerc in the coming months. The team will also broadcast videos of one-on-one situations between Pierre and Steve Bolo Mboumoua, showcasing the blocker’s talent against a top athlete.
“It is not said that there will be no more suites. Steve gets a lot of attention, so universities will want to visit him, which will also open up opportunities for Hackman,” predicts Dion.