The Wolverine: Covering University of Michigan Football and Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1493247
2023 FOOTBALL RECRUITING ISSUE 46 THE WOLVERINE MARCH 2023 BY EJ HOLLAND Aymeric Koumba's route to Michigan is much different than the rest of the signees in the 2023 recruiting class. Growing up in France where American football is often an afterthought in the sports world, Koumba gravitated toward rugby. He was always physical by nature and was able to express himself on the pitch. But something just didn't feel right. Shortly after Koumba's 14th birthday, his life changed forever. He discovered American football and immediately developed a passion for the sport. "I wasn't really liking rugby, so a friend of mine told me to go try football," Koumba said. "I went to one practice, and I fell in love with it. I knew it was the right sport for me. I love the strategic aspect and the technical aspect. It was just a better sport for me." Koumba began play- ing for a local club team and eventually linked up with renowned European trainer Brandon Collier. A former CFL defen- sive lineman, Collier founded PPI Recruits in 2016 as a way to get international pros- pects more exposure in the United States. He has now worked with a number of FBS players, including former Michigan defen- sive lineman Julius Welschof. "We met up and started working to- gether," Koumba said. "We've done camps and workouts. I've been to his house, and we've trained all day. It came natural for us. We worked really hard together, and these are the results." Collier helped Koumba improve his game and took him to the United States to compete in front of college coaches around the country last summer. Koumba caught the attention of U-M defensive line coach Mike Elston and earned an offer on the spot. Koumba visited the Michigan campus a couple of weeks later and committed to the Wolverines before the end of summer. "I looked at all my options, and I quickly realized that Michigan was the best for me," Koumba said. "They produce big pass rushers like David Ojabo, who is an in- ternational prospect like me, and Aidan Hutchinson. I am also a big, strong edge, so I felt like it was the school for me." And there is no doubt Koumba will have every opportunity to grow and flourish under Elston. "Coach Elston is a great coach," Koumba said. "I know that he's going to develop me. I was feeling a better connection with him than the other coaches. He told me he was going to turn me into a monster. I'm ready to put in the work with him." Koumba, who enrolled at U-M in Janu- ary, may be thousands of miles away from home, but he's exactly where he wants to be. "I know I have huge potential," Koumba said. "I want to put the work in. I know the environment there is going to be better. I'm hardworking and always want more. I want to be the greatest. I love the sport. This is my dream." ❏ After Trying Rugby In France, Aymeric Koumba Fell In Love With American Football 2023 Projection Koumba will need at least a few years to develop in Michigan's strength and conditioning program and get adjusted to a different level of competition after spending his entire life in Europe. While he has plenty of upside potential, he is almost a guarantee to redshirt in his first year with the program. Koumba is U-M's first football player from France. His coach, Brandon Collier (left) of PPI Recruits, took him to college camps last summer, which is when he earned his offer from Michigan. PHOTO COURTESY AYMERIC KOUMBA HONORS • Competed with the Pionniers de Touraine organization while attending school at Lycée Alfred Kastler. • Helped the Pionniers win a French cham- pionship in summer 2022. RECRUITMENT • Committed to Michigan July 15, 2022, after receiving an offer in June 2022. • Picked U-M over offers from Vanderbilt, UConn and Colorado. • Recruited by U-M defensive line coach Mike Elston. • Koumba caught Elston's attention on the satellite camp circuit last summer. • His trainer, Brandon Collier of PPI Recruits, also has served as a mentor for former U-M defensive lineman Julius Welschof. DID YOU KNOW? • Has a 7-foot-2 wingspan. • Ran a 4.7 40-yard dash and logged a 10- foot-2 broad jump. • Is the first player from France to sign with the U-M football program. • Son of Jean-Claire and Marie-Paul Koumba. • Born May 11, 2003. THEY SAID IT Brandon Collier, PPI Recruits: "Koumba can fill a similar role as David Ojabo and Aidan [Hutchinson]. Michigan is a great fit for him with what they do with guys like him. He's 6-foot-6, 230 pounds with a 7-foot-2 wingspan. He's a really impres- sive pass rusher. If he were in America, he would probably be a four-star prospect." AYMERIC KOUMBA EDGE 6-6 • 230 LYCÉE ALFRED KASTLER BORDEAUX, FRANCE RANKINGS STARS NAT. POS. STATE ✪ ✪ ✪ 946 80 — ✪ ✪ ✪ — 70 — ✪ ✪ ✪ — 42 1 ✪ ✪ ✪ — 78 1 ✪ ✪ ✪ — — — consensus