The NFL has announced the 2022 class of the International Pathway Programme. Included is German cornerback Marcel Dabo.

Munich – Football Germany can rejoice! With Marcel Dabo, a German player has once again made it into the 2022 NFL International Pathway Programme. This was announced by the NFL.

The cornerback of the ELF team Stuttgart Surge gets the opportunity to prove himself as the only German player at the IMG Academy in Florida for NFL teams.

The nomination makes his current team especially happy. “Marcel Dabo is a talented young athlete. He has all the attributes needed to perform at the top level,” Surge Head Coach Martin Hanselmann stated. “I am convinced that Marcel will deliver an outstanding performance now in camp and in the future. He will do whatever it takes mentally to improve his performance. Of course, we would also like to have him back in the squad here in Stuttgart at Surge. But the prospect of a career in the NFL is of course something special and I’m happy for Marcel that he has this opportunity.”

The cornerback himself remains modest. “I have taken the first step. It’s still a long way to my goal, but through the European League of Football I have created a good basis for it. The league has helped me get the best possible exposure and is doing a great job. I think I have the maturity to compete at that level. Coming to the NFL is huge for any athlete in Europe,” Dabo explained before joining the IPP programme.

ELF commissioner Patrick Esume is not surprised

Dabo’s achievements are of great importance to the ELF. “The selection of Marcel shows exactly what the European League of Football stands for. The players have the best opportunity with us to recommend themselves for the NFL. Marcel in particular has developed enormously in the last few months. That’s why we are very happy that he has made the jump. We wish him every success and hope that he, like Jakob Johnson, will make the jump to the NFL,” said Surge General Manager Timo Franke about Dabo’s opportunity.

In addition to Dabo, defensive end Adedayo Odeleye of the Berlin Thunder will also get a chance with the Pathway programme. ELF commissioner Patrick Esume is excited about the development of the defensive aces. “Anyone who has seen Marcel Dabo and Adedayo Odeleye in training and in the league knows what skills they both bring. It would have been crazy not to take them into the International Player Pathway programme. We are very proud of both of them and hope that more players will take this step. “

Jakob Johnson celebrates Marcel Dabo

Dabo’s selection is no surprise: during the NFL International Combine in London in October 2021, Dabo first caught the attention of numerous NFL scouts. “Jakob Johnson is from Stuttgart just like Marcel. So Jakob sent me a WhatsApp and wrote: ‘One word. One name: Marcel Dabo’,” explained Will Bryce, the “NFL International Head Of Development”, with a twinkle in his eye.

And he continued about his impressions: “Marcel is a top athlete, very talented and also has an outstanding character. He knows what he wants. “

Now it’s clear: it didn’t stop at the praise. Dabo will be one of 13 players to get the chance to earn a spot in the NFL via the Pathway program. Jakob Johnson has already impressively proven that this is not impossible with the New England Patriots. The fullback has meanwhile established himself as a starter in Foxborough.