In an attempt to bring more attention to the growing numbers of talented athletes from around the world, who are taking their games abroad, AFI will name their weekly International Players of the Week, throughout the 2017 season.
Criteria: For 2017, we are searching for football players from, or citizens of countries outside of the the 50 United States, and Canada, who are playing football in the 50 United States or Canada.
How the AFI community can help: If you fit the criteria, or know someone who does, please pass on the name of the athlete, home country and current school. If you are a high school or college coach or SID, please send AFI statistical updates on your international students each week.
American Football International College Players of the Week: September 4-10, 2017
This weeks star performers bounced AFI all around the globe. From American Samoa to Washington State, Haiti to Tennessee and Nigeria to Delaware, these guys represented their schools and home-countries well.
Offense
The University of Tennessee’s Haitian-born Carlin Fils-Aime scampered for two touchdowns and 41 yards on three carries in the Vols win over Indiana State.
Photo: Randy Sartin, USA TODAY Sports
Defense
Hard-hitting linebacker, Frankie Luvu, was all over the field for Washington State this week, with 5 tackles and 2.5 sacks in the Cougars 47-44 vicotry over Boise State. Luvu is from Tafuna, American Samoa.
Washington State’s Frankie Luvu. Photo: Washington State Athletics website
Special Teams
Wisdom Nzidee was perfect with his kicks for Delaware State in their loss to Hamption. Nzidee, originally from Nigeria, was 1/1 on PATs and 2/2 on field goals, with a long of 26 yards.
Wisdom Nzidee scored 7 points for his Delaware State Hornets. Photo; Delaware State University athletics website
Who did we miss? Who do you know with a Player of the Week worthy performance? Contact AFI to let us know the international athletes making a big impact on high school and college fields in North America.