Only a week after winning his second Swedish championship, this one with the Stockholm Mean Machines, WR Alpha Jalloh was donning a new uniform after signing with the Wasa Royals in Finland’s Maple League.
He saw action in the Royals 6-0 loss to the Tampere Saints, catching four passes for 62 yards. The previous weekend he hauled in eight passes for 233 yards and a touchdown in Stockholm’s title-winning game.
In 2017, he helped the Carlstad Crusaders win their eighth Swedish title.
Currently, the Royals are in sixth place in Finland’s seven-team Maple League with a 2-5 record.
The 6’2″. 205 lb native of Anapolis, Maryland had an outstanding season with the Mean Machines with 284 yards receiving while returning kicks and playing defensive back. He spent the 2018 season with the Göteborg Marvels in the Swedish Superserien where he finished as the fourth leading receiver in Sweden with 550 yards receiving, despite not having a true starting quarterback all season. He had originally signed with the Thonon Black Panthers in France but left after a contract issue with the club. He spent the 2017 season playing with the Swedish champion Carlstad Crusaders where he helped the team win its eighth consecutive Swedish championship, scoring two touchdowns in the title game. As a two-year starter at Liberty (NCAA Div. I, FCS) he 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’s career highlights at Liberty included:
- All Big South Defensive Back (2016)
- Led safeties in interceptions (2015)
- Led team in KOR yards (2014)
Key plays at Liberty:
- Touchdown against Virginia Tech (ACC) (2016)
- Didn’t allow a completion vs. West Virginia (Big 12) (2015)
- ESPN top plays -interception vs So. Illinois (2015)
- 70 Yard kick-off return vs Villanova in FCS playoffs (2014)
- Interception vs North Carolina (ACC)(2014)
AFI: What prompted you to sign with the Wasa Royals after just winning the Swedish title?
Jalloh: I am a competitor. I had to win another Swedish title and then I wanted to challenge myself and showcase my talent throughout Europe.
AFI: You just won your second Swedish title, this time with the Stockholm Mean Machines. Describe how that feels.
Jalloh: Winning games is very cool, fun etc, while winning championships is a special feeling. A championship victory is a historical moment that people remember. Winning the championship with Stockholm was great not because it was only a fun season, but we put in all the time and lots of preparation. I believe we deserved it.
AFI: How much do you know about football in Finland?
Jalloh: I’ve known a little bit about the Finnish football league. The competition in Finland is definitely one of the more competitive football leagues in Europe.
AFI: You’ll be joining a team at mid-season. Does that present any problems?
Jalloh: Most people will say joining the team mid season can be rushed, or finishing the season after having played a long season can cause injuries. In the end though, this is the game I love, it’s the game I was born to do, and I’m going to play this game to the best of the abilities God has given me.
AFI: Anything else you would like to add”
Jalloh: If I can be a part of winning two championships in one season that’ll be an historical moment for me. Not sure many people have done that.
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