Seven time Swedish champion Carlstad Crusaders have signed defensive back and kick returner Alpha Jalloh for the 2017 season.
After playing and dominating their first two games of the season, one without imports at all, the Crusaders signed Jalloh from Liberty University where he is currently finishing up his studies in digital media. He will join the team in time for their Northern European Football League matchup against the London Warriors May 6.
With the departures of the two imports who had been signed for the season – Willie Tucker (NFL tryouts) and Ben Eli (homesick) – before the season started, Carlstad was left without imports. Brett Koepp agreed to fly over for a couple of games and performed well. But with the Jalloh signing the Crusaders are back on track. Not that the team seemed to miss a beat. They pummeled their 2016 finals opponent the Uppsala 86ers last week without an import.
The 6’2″, 205 lb Jalloh was a two year starter at Liberty (NCAA Div. I, FCS) and earned All Big South honors in 2016. Over the course of his three seasons he recorded 100 tackles and in his first year, 2014, he had over 400 yards in kick off returns.
Jalloh is happy for the opportunity to come to Sweden and the Crusaders:
“I am very grateful for this opportunity to come to Carlstad Crusaders and thank God that I can continue my career in American football, the sport I love to play.”
Carlstad Crusaders club director Robert Sundberg:
“He feels like the type of player we want for the team in the first position. A skill player who can play multiple positions and on both sides of the ball. An athlete with good size and speed that will be very useful for the team. We have a very good team on paper today and we’ve got a really good start to the season. But it could be a long season for us and we will be meeting the best teams in Sweden and Europe if all goes well, then apply that we are prepared and we have players on to do a little extra. “
The Liberty Flames Football team played Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas on September 17, 2016. (Photo by Kevin Manguiob)
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