Do you have any idea how big of a deal it is to have a player from Quebec joining the University of Alabama's prestigious Crimson Tide program? The term historical is sometimes overused to emphasize the importance of a moment, but in the case of Steve Bolo Mboumoua, nothing is truer.
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The young defensive end from Cameroon, who came to Lac-Mégantic at the age of 12, received 17 scholarships from various prestigious university programs. He chose nothing less than the royal college football in the United States.
He is the first Quebec football player to join the program. This is extraordinary news, both for him and for our football programs, which show with confidence that they are largely capable of developing the elite.
We already knew it, but this is another event that confirms it and football in Quebec can only grow from it.
Some people adore the University of Alabama. Others despise it. One thing is certain: no one can be indifferent to this traditional program.
And it's not like the tide is resting on dusty old laurels. Since 2009, Alabama has won top honors six times.
In this southern state, college football is the religion and excellence is the program's burden.
A success-story
Committing to Alabama isn't just big news, it's a gigantic accomplishment.
Alabama has 16 national championships, including 13 in the current era.
Alabama has 34 conference titles, including 30 in the mighty SEC, including this season.
Alabama is the program with the highest winning percentage (.734) in NCAA history.
Alabama means games at the legendary Bryant-Denny Stadium in front of more than 100,000 spectators.
Alabama has 57 players in the NFL this season, the most of any college program in the United States.
With a legend
In the case of Steve Bolo Mboumoua, it makes no sense to skip steps and immediately think about the NFL. It is already immensely spectacular that he is taking part in one of the most renowned university programs ever.
The one who studied at Montignac Polyvalente and Notre-Dame-de-Foy Campus will, in the coming months, place his fate on the field in the hands of legendary head coach Nick Saban.
The conductor won six national titles. There are only two college coaches who have won championships with two programs, including Saban.
His reputation and immense success ensure that he has access to an unlimited pool of extremely talented players and he decided to come and draw in the courtyard of the CNDF in Saint-Augustin-de-Desmaures to try to build it up future defensive front. Think about it…
Steve Bolo Mboumoua will have a lot of work to do to ultimately secure his spot on the field in an environment as competitive as Alabama's. He is now the first player in Quebec that coach Saban puts his entire trust in. That in itself is remarkable.
MY PREDICTION FOR THURSDAY NIGHT'S MATCH:
Saints 23 Aries 27