A total of 43 athletes, ten of them from Germany, present themselves to the scouts at the “NFL International Combine” in London – one in particular from Stuttgart attracts attention. Will Bryce, the “NFL International Head Of Development”, also explains what it takes to get into the NFL in an interview with ran.

London – Yannic Kiehl beamed all over his face. “This is an absolute dream here,” said the O-lineman of the reigning European League Of Football (ELF) champions, the Frankfurt Galaxy, as he let his gaze glide through the imposing Tottenham Stadium in London.

Kiehl was one of a total of 43 athletes – ten of them German – invited by the NFL to the English capital for their International Combine between the two London Games.

“A few days ago, millionaire footballers were still doing their job here on the turf at the Atlanta Falcons vs. New York Jets game and now we’re standing here – that’s absolute madness and I’ll never forget it for the rest of my life.”

Kiehl, however, was truly not the only one to externalise that incredible euphoria after all the 40-yard dashes, vertical jumps or all the position-specific drills.

All the athletes gave their all physically and mentally

Everywhere you looked that day at Tottenham Stadium, there were good-humoured, happy faces everywhere. Every single one of them had gone all out in front of the NFL scouts present, put in the best possible performance and thus tried to leave a lasting impression. Even injuries were simply ignored. For the dream of the NFL, you simply have to make sacrifices.

“I pulled my groin right on the first 40-yard dash,” Max Bruder, a player for the Leipzig Kings and a kindergarten teacher in real life, told us. “But I didn’t let that get me down. When something like that happens in a game, it doesn’t help to complain, you have to keep going. And who knows when we’ll get another chance like this. “

Jakob Johnson celebrates Marcel Dabo

That’s probably what Marcel Dabo of ELF club Stuttgart Surge thought too. Because the cornerback in particular left one of the most lasting impressions at this Combine in London, convincing not only with his incredible athleticism but also his personality. “Dabo is definitely gone. Bye bye Stuttgart, hello NFL,” said Galaxy player Kiehl, among others, who had of course been keeping a close eye on his colleague from Stuttgart throughout the day.

And Will Bryce, the NFL International Head of Development, was also full of praise for Dabo after the day: “Jakob Johnson is from Stuttgart, just like Marcel. So Jakob sent me a WhatsApp and wrote: ‘One word. One name: Marcel Dabo’,” Bryce told me and couldn’t help laughing. But then he added again with a serious face: “Marcel is a top athlete, very talented and also has an outstanding character. He knows what he wants, so he’s very hungry and has therefore understood what it’s all about for him here today. “

Marcel Dabo impresses with 40-yard dash

Dabo himself, however, struck a rather quiet note after his performance at the “NFL International Combine”, appearing pleasantly reserved when speaking to ran. “When you play American football, you know that this one special moment will come at some point – and then you have to be prepared, you can’t rest beforehand,” said the Swabian. “Having already been in contact with a scout during the ELF season, I also used our training sessions in Stuttgart to prepare myself for the practices here at the Combine.”

With great success – because in the 40 yards, Dabo was the fastest player on the day with 4.52 seconds, among other things. “Of course I felt the pressure because this is the biggest stage you can present yourself on as a footballer in Europe,” said the 21-year-old, who said he tried not to let the pressure get to him so much. “The field here is ultimately just like the one in Stuttgart. All in all, I’m very happy with my performance here and today. “

NFL International Combine like interview

Naturally, word of his performance had already spread to Foxborough. So Dabo as the next German in the NFL?

“I could see that happening. Hats off to all the guys who got the invite to the Combine. Being there shows you have the talent to make the jump to the NFL,” Jakob Johnson, one of Dabo’s biggest supporters, said on the sidelines of a press event with the German media when asked by ran. “I wish everyone the best. It’s a huge compliment to the youth work, coaches and people involved in German football that we’re at the point where there’s a whole list of guys that are getting the attention from the NFL.”

Whether Dabo will indeed be a serious candidate for the NFL’s “International Pathway Program” next year after his performance remains to be seen. What is already clear, however, is what Bryce and his scouting team are looking for above all else with all the talent: “Of course we want to offer NFL teams the best athletes athletically, but it definitely has to fit on a human level as well. That’s why we don’t just look at their athletic skills, but also how they behave, how they interact with their fellow human beings. At the end of the day, this NFL International Combine is like a job interview,” said the “NFL International Head Of Development. “

Bada and Johnson as positive examples

And whoever denies this positively can just end up in the NFL sooner or later. “David Bada or especially Jakob Johnson are good examples from a German perspective. Who would have thought a few years ago that Bada would miss a sack on Lamar Jackson in a preseason game. Anything is possible and I can only advise all young people out there to give American football a try and if you like it, we have opportunities for you,” promises Bryce.

So the dream of an NFL career can become a reality. “You just have to believe in it. Because if you don’t believe in it yourself, who else will? Also, it takes a good environment that accompanies you on your way as a player and supports you unconditionally,” Bryce explains.

Faith and support in focus

Advice that many young talents should take into consideration. Because the next “NFL International Combine” is sure to come – in London or on the sidelines of the Germany game, perhaps even directly in the Federal Republic …