The most highly-touted Wootton recruit in recent memory, senior wide receiver Stephane N’goumou, signed his letter of intent to attend the University of Iowa on Feb. 4, National Signing Day.

According to ESPNU, Iowa is ranked 16th in the preseason polls for the upcoming season. The prospect of playing right away for a potential top-25 Big Ten school, along with the amenities offered by the school, were too much for N’goumou to pass up.

“They want me to come in and play as a true freshman,” N’goumou said. “The coaches were great, the campus was amazing, the city is nice and the people are amazing.”

With a 6’4”, 200-pound frame, Stephane compiled 71 receptions for 1,200 yards and 12 touchdowns in his senior season. N’goumou’s imposing physicality and big play ability as well as his first team all-Gazette and second team all-state accolades have Hawkeye Nation anxious to suit him up in the black and gold.

Blogs such as hawkeyereport.com reveal the buzz generated by N’goumou’s signing. As one poster put it, “I’m thinking of an Anquan Boldin type WR.”

“Thenebraskahawkeye” added, “Man, he takes a hit like a running back! Just keeps going and going...very impressive.”

Emerging late onto the recruiting scene, N’goumou is only a two-star recruit on the five-star scale from rivals.com. However, “Herky Hawk” on hawkeyehideout.com shares the sentiments of most Hawkeye fans in saying, “Wow- that guys is a two star? I’ll take all the two stars with his ability…”

Stephane’s hard work and well-deserved publicity has the Wootton football program prominent once again.

“Stephane being recruited to a big D1 school offers a sense of legitimacy to our program, and for incoming players,” head coach Greg Malling said.

N’goumou’s arrival into Iowa’s prestigious football program caught the eye of other national powers.

“After I signed, Maryland, Michigan, and Michigan State all called trying to get me to decommit,” N’goumou said. “[Syracuse] and Western Michigan were upset to see me go, [because] they know I’m going to be doing big things this year.”

Despite the few cynics who say he will be overmatched in a conference rich with tradition, N’goumou remains certain he can make an impact.

“I’m going to be successful [because] of work ethic and my confidence,” N’goumou said. “I feel like I’m prepared and good enough.”

Staff writer Alex Kelly contributed to this report.