If the recruiting process were dating, and the University of Charleston (W.Va.) was looking for a partner, then the signing of Patrick Kouns has to be a marriage made in heaven.

First-year head coach Tony DeMeo went looking for a tight end to fill a void in the University of Charleston's 2-year-old program and found the player of his dreams in the Ironton Fighting Tigers' senior tight end.

"We think a lot of him. He's everything you look for in a student athlete," DeMeo said. "He's great player and the only tight end we recruited. We were fortunate to get him. We think he's one of the foundations for our program."

Ironton head coach Bob Lutz agreed with DeMeo's assessment.

"Charleston got a steal," Lutz said. "They got a Division I player."

The 6-foot-2, 235-pound Kouns was a three-year starter at Ironton.

A first team All-District and second team All-Ohio selection, Kouns played tight end, offensive tackle, defensive end and defensive tackle for the Fighting Tigers.

Kouns is looking forward to playing for the Golden Eagles and said he doesn't care which position.

"There's an opportunity to play. Maybe I won't come in and start, but I have the opportunity to contribute and possibly make a difference," Kouns said.

DeMeo said Kouns will not have to wait long to get on the playing field.

"We're counting on Patrick. He's one of only two tight ends we have, so he's going to have to contribute. I connected with him right away and I liked his parents. He's a very disciplined person," DeMeo said.

Kouns talked to several schools including Toledo, but Charleston made the best offer. Although a private school with an enrollment of approximately 1,000 students, Kouns said college football at any level will be a challenge.

In addition to his work on the field, Kouns also gets the job done in the classroom. A 3.8 student, Kouns is looking to major in pre-med and pursue a career in radiology or anesthesiology.

Patrick is the son of Dave and Paula Kouns of Ironton.