"I feel at home": 4-star Alabama commit Steve Mboumoua heaps praise on Kalen DeBoer's program

By Maliha

Modified Aug 03, 2024 12:38 GMT

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Four-star defensive lineman Steve Mboumoua, from Québec, Canada, has privately committed to the Alabama Crimson Tide, officially announcing his decision in December. Before joining the program, he will spend his first collegiate year at Southwest Community College in Summit, Mississippi. Initially part of Alabama’s 2024 class, he aims to refine his skills in the JuCo ranks.

Mboumoua moved to Canada at age 12, and 2024 marks his first year in the United States. Despite the transition, he feels at home with the Kalen DeBoer-coached Alabama program.

“It’s been going good," Steve Mboumoua told Bama Online. "In general, everything is good. They really take care of me. I feel at home. I learn every day. I’m learning English, football, and a new system. I’m talking with the new coaching staff. In general, everything is pretty good over here.”

Steve Mboumoua's path to Alabama began in earnest during a camp in June 2023, where he impressed defensive line coach Freddie Roach before earning an offer. His high school head coach, Cliff Collins, praised his exceptional speed-to-power ratio, strong hands and impressive strength. Collins believes Mboumoua can bullrush anybody due to his dedication in the weight room.

The prospect is also adapting to his new surroundings and is also improving his fluency in English:

“I love football, so I have to do what I have to do. It’s pretty good in Mississippi. They really treat me like I’m home. I’m really far from my family, but I don’t miss my family because I have a new one.”

Standing at 6-foot-4 and weighing 260 pounds, Steve Mboumoua is ranked as the No. 285 overall prospect in the nation and the No. 21 defensive lineman by On3. The prospect has proved his strength as well by posting 25 reps at 225 pounds on the bench press and squatting over 475 pounds.

Steve Mboumoua reaffirms his commitment to Alabama

Steve Mboumoua received offers from Auburn, Georgia, Oregon, Florida and Texas A&M, among others. Even LSU and FSU were high on him as well, but Alabama was the only program to earn a commitment from him.

“I had two or three schools text me, but I’m locked in with Alabama,” Mboumoua told Bama Online. “The main reasons are that Alabama is Alabama. Why I chose Bama is that in my mind, every time I see them and watch a game, you definitely have to come be the best every day… the best competition I can have.

“Even when I went to Canada, Alabama was my dream school. I grew up watching Alabama.”

Mboumoua’s dream school has seen a huge transition with the retirement of coach Nick Saban, but he remains confident in the program’s direction under new coach Kalen DeBoer.

“I feel pretty good. They have a really good atmosphere. You really feel like it’s a big family," Mboumoua said. "They’re still the same Alabama as when I left… the main goal is to win the championship and work hard, and be better every day and compete.”

Steve Mboumoua is one of two defensive lineman commitments for Alabama in the 2025 class, joining fellow recruit London Simmons. The class has 21 commitments in the class, which ranks No. 2 in the nation and No. 1 in the SEC.