Sylvain Yondjouen’s Journey from Belgium to the NFL: A Dream Come True

He would have been told about it seven years ago, when he started playing American football, he would not have believed it. Sylvain Yondjouen could however realize his dream when the university season starts again for Georgia Tech this Friday against Louisville. Everyone, across the Atlantic, believes that the native of Ruisbroek has the build and the talent to join the NFL next season. This is good: with his senior status, this is his last university year, before the draft scheduled for the end of April 2024 in Detroit. “I worked during the summer for everything that happens now, tells us the solid guy (1.93m, 117 kilos). I am mentally and physically ready. I can’t wait to start this season. Everything related to football gives me energy. I’m really looking forward to playing on Friday. If you know what you are doing, you are confident. You just have to go there.”

In any case, Yondjouen does not intend to play it personally. It’s not the kind of house. “All that will come if I focus on the season. If I concentrate on my match, I study the opponent’s formation, I will play faster and I will be able to make plays. I don’t think of doing actions so that people see me more and because I want to play at a higher level. I will play as I trained. I will play as the coaches want us to play. I’m going to do my job and then, we’ll see if it goes… I don’t feel any stress; I am not afraid. I’m really here to finish this season and then, when that’s the case, we’ll think about what happens next.

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Compliments motivate me and make me want to do my job even more.

Nevertheless, specialists believe that he could be drafted next year. Compliments rain down, invitations to podcasts and press conferences too, proof of the interest that Sylvain Yondjouen arouses. The Brussels resident was even named one of five players from his university to be watched for the Reese’s Senior Bowl, the university all-star game. “I did not expect it at all, assures the one who is still taking economics courses this year while working in the IT department. I saw the notification and I went, ‘Oh!’ I went to see on Instagram and I said: ‘Ah yeah, anyway’ (laughs). They sent me a package, with my name, explaining everything that happens during the Senior Bowl. It will be the 75th and therefore a big event. We’ll see if I go or not. I will work every game to make sure they select me. Compliments motivate me and make me want to do my job even more now. Several people have told me that I have the size, that I have the format to play at the next level, but I still have plenty of shortcomings that the coach can correct. I prefer to focus on what is happening now, improve on the techniques to use this season. We’ll see what happens next.”

Sylvain Yondjouen hopes to be part of the Senior Bowl. ©DR

The lights are still green and if the planets align as they should, Sylvain Yondjouen could imitate Keion White, who was at Georgia Tech the last two seasons and was drafted by the Patriots this year. “The second year, we talked a little more. I saw him a little more in his preparations for training. I was really watching what he was doing to improve me personally. Even if we didn’t really talk, he’s a good friend. If I have any questions about the NFL, I’ll ask him. He was in the defensive line with me. I would ask him what he was doing during the off season, what he expected during the draft. All those questions will come when it’s my time. I will leave him in his season and then I have my season too.

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One match per week and the season is played over one match…

In the meantime, even if the recruiters are already showing up in training, the Brussels resident does not worry, which he keeps firmly anchored on his broad shoulders. Sylvain Yondjouen does not want to let go now, a stone’s throw from his dream. Georgia Tech is counting on him and the defensive end intends above all to have a very big season, before seeing what the future may hold for him. “The last years I’ve played have always been seasons with few wins and more losses. I’ve been through all that and I don’t want to go through it again this year. We just had a meeting between the team leaders and the head coach (Editor’s note: Brent Key, who arrived during last season). We really tell ourselves that it’s one game a week and that the season is played over one game. So we go there with our heads held high to beat the team opposite. So far, we only think of Louisville; next week, we will think of another team.”

Yondjouen is not afraid to take on the role of leader. “I’ve always been one of the oldest in my group. So now I’m with a lot of very young boys. They know who I am, where I’m from, what I’ve done. Even if I don’t give voice, the fact of seeing me work, it ensures that they too are focused. I have to work more vocally. It’s more my work that will allow them to follow in my wake. I’m really going to try this season to talk more, to motivate people more, whether offensively or defensively. I have to work more on communication with the team members, even those who are not in the field.”

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I cannot arrive on the field and do anything.

The defensive end will in any case be observed in Belgium too. “I did not expect all that when I started US football, explains the one whose family will come to visit him in October. A youngster, Jules Bouron, joined the NFL quarterback academy. He told me that if he continues to play, it’s because he saw me arrive at the Brussels Black Angels and now at Georgia Tech. He uses what I did to motivate himself. It motivates even more when you read something like that. I cannot arrive on the field and do anything. Yes, I undoubtedly have an example role for those who dream of American football in Belgium. Few people come from Belgium to play US football in America and manage to have an impact like mine.

Sylvain Yondjouen can’t wait for the season to start.

Bastien, the goalscoring little brother

In the Yondjouen family, it’s not just Sylvain who benefits from being known at the sporting level. Bastien, one of his brothers, plays good old football at Real. And this season, he scored a Maradonesque goal for his D2 amateur club. “I was surprised, laughs the big brother. I didn’t know he could do that. It’s in the family it seems (laughs).”

2023-09-01 04:33:00
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