Defensive linemen Tibo Debaillie from Gistel, Belgium and Maxi Hradecny from Vienna, Austria have signed to play for American colleges without having played high school football in the United States or Canada.
As reported earlier in American Football International, Debaillie decided on Towson University after considering offers from other schools. Then on signing day last week, Hradecny decided to attend Duquesne University in Pittsburgh after courting offers from six different schools.
Both players got their opportunities through Brandon Collier, currently playing for the Frankfurt Universe but who previously played in the NFL and CFL as well as Austria’s Swarco Raiders.
Debaillie, a Belgian, (6’3″, 265 lb) made his decision after paying his official visit to Towson University with his family. At the conclusion of his visit ‘Tibo’ decided Towson was the best school for him to attend.
Debaillie, who played for reigning Belgian champion Ostend Pirates, was noticed by Collier, who has started a new organization, Premier Players International, (PPINTL) whose aim is to identify talented college-eligible football players in Europe and showcase them for top American universities.
Debaillie:
“PPINTL is a organization that keeps its word. I met Brandon in March of 2016 and he told me I would get a full scholarship from a D1 school and today that actually happened. I am thankful for what he does for the game internationally. Now I am excited to represent everyone that has a dream from outside of America.”
Hradecny had solid offers from Umass (University of Massachusetts), Akron, Kent State, Albany, Duquesne, and a Big 10 team, before settling on Duquesne.
The 19 year old Hradecny, who has played for one of Europe’s top American football clubs, Austria’s Vienna Vikings, since he was nine years old, is an anchor on the U19 Austrian national team.
“I am so excited to live my dream and get a full scholarship to play college football. Thanks to my coaches for preparing for this moment. And a special thanks to PPINTL and Brandon Collier for keeping their word. Brandon brought me to the States with a dream of obtaining a scholarship and I came back to Austria with 7 D1 scholarahips. This would not have been possible without PPINTL and I am thankful for them.”
The 6’3″, 312 lbs Austrian had put up eye popping numbers for a player his size including bench pressing 225 lbs 25 times, and in his position drills he displayed a high level of coaching and learning Collier said.
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