How Antioch’s Fred Ntumba made the unlikely journey from the Congo to a four-star prospect
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Fred Ntumba had never played American football before he moved to the United States.
Growing up in the Republic of the Congo, soccer was the sport he knew. Football was something he would not discover until 2024, after his family made the move to America in search of a better life.
“My life in Congo was not that bad, it was just a lot going on, and my dad wanted a better life,” Ntumba said. “That’s why we moved to the U.S.”
His father, Alfred Ntumba, wanted to create better opportunities for his family. His aunt had already lived in Antioch for years when Fred and his family arrived. He remembers being excited about the opportunity, but starting over meant leaving behind friends and adjusting to a new environment.
“When we came to the U.S., I was so excited,” Ntumba said. “My auntie told us we’d have a better life. It was a dream for me. I couldn’t believe it.”
The adjustment was not always easy. French was Ntumba’s native language, and communicating with classmates and teammates presented a challenge. He was often quiet and kept to himself as he worked to learn English.
His teammates helped him learn English, while his family helped him navigate the transition. His mother, Arlette Bilonda, became a source of encouragement as he tried to find his place in a new country.
“Talking to people was the hardest,” Ntumba said. “I was scared to talk to people, I did things by myself, and now I embrace my accent.”
At the time, Ntumba could not have known how much his life was about to change. He was still looking for a sport to call his own, and a conversation with Antioch coach Arcentae Broome would eventually introduce him to one he had never played.
Discovering football and finding success
Before football, Ntumba played soccer and tried basketball at his mother’s urging. Neither sport stuck.
Then Broome asked if he wanted to play football.
Ntumba did not understand the question at first. Broome used a phone to translate, and Ntumba agreed to try the sport.
The learning curve was steep. Ntumba had to understand the rules, learn the terminology, and develop the technique needed to compete against players who had years of experience.
His first game was overwhelming.
“My first game, it was crazy,” Ntumba said. “I didn’t know what to do.”
He initially wanted to play wide receiver, but his coaches saw a different future for him on the defensive line.
“The coaches told me I was built like a defensive end, so I tried it,” Ntumba said.
The position proved to be a natural fit. Ntumba recorded three sacks in the Bears’ season opener this year against Mount Juliet to begin his junior season.
Broome remembers a player who arrived at Antioch weighing approximately 170 to 175 pounds and knowing little about football. Ntumba learned from the defensive line, linebackers, and coaching staff, gradually turning raw athletic ability into a more complete understanding of the game.
Coach Kato Smith played a major role in developing his technique, working with him during summer sessions on his first step off the line, hand placement, and avoiding false starts.
“Most of it didn’t make sense, but it makes sense now,” Ntumba said.
The work has paid off. Ntumba said college coaches now compliment his first step, something that once required hours of repetition. He has also become more disciplined about watching film, learning to identify offensive tendencies, and anticipate whether an opponent is preparing to run or pass.
“I started watching a lot of film this year,” Ntumba said. “Last year I didn’t watch much and made a lot of mistakes.”
His physical style and relentless motor have helped earn him the nickname “The Congo Express.”
“He is a menace, he never stops,” Broome said. “He’s like a bull in a china shop and colleges are recognizing him.”
Ntumba’s career totals entering Friday night’s game against Clarksville (184 tackles, 44 tackles for loss, 22 sacks, three fumble recoveries and a fumble-return touchdown) reflect how far he has come since first stepping onto a football field.
But his development has not been a solo effort. Ntumba credits his coaches and teammates for helping him learn the game, while his mother helped him push through a moment when he considered quitting.
“One time after practice I called my mom and told her I wanted to quit,” Ntumba said. “She told me not to do it.”
Bilonda’s encouragement helped him keep going. Now, the sport that once left him unsure of what to do on the field has opened a path toward playing at the college level.
From learning the game to earning SEC offers
Ntumba’s rise has reached a point he could hardly have imagined when he first arrived at Antioch. He is now a four-star defensive end with offers from Alabama, Arkansas, Missouri, Mississippi State, and numerous other programs across the country.
The attention has already begun to affect his life away from the field.
During a recruiting visit to Missouri, Ntumba missed a shift at KFC, where he was working. His employer called him about the absence, creating an unusual conflict between his job and the opportunities football was beginning to provide.
The situation was eventually resolved, and he was allowed to return to work the following Monday.
For Ntumba, the recruiting interest is about more than the number of offers or the schools attached to them.
“The college attention means a lot to me,” Ntumba said. “My first offer, I was so happy.”
His mother was among the first people he wanted to thank, particularly because she had supported him when he was ready to walk away from the sport.
Now, he is working toward another goal before his high school career ends.
“I want Mr. Football, that’s my goal,” Ntumba said.
He also wants to continue adding strength and weight as he prepares for the next level. He looks to Micah Parsons as his favorite defensive player and wears No. 11 in part because he wants to model his game after the star defender.
Ntumba knows there is still work to do. He wants to get stronger, improve his technique, and earn the recognition he believes he can achieve.
But the journey from the Republic of the Congo to a four-star prospect has already changed what he sees as possible.
“When I came here, Antioch was my only school, and I wanted to stay here,” Ntumba said. “I love it. It’s my home.”
