The Prague Black Panthers are gearing up for the 2019 season which will also include play in the Austrian Football League, AFL, with the signing of All American Dylan Potts as their starting quarterback.
Potts is entering his fourth season in Europe and is arguably the most versatile quarterback in Europe has earned a reputation both for his passing and running ability. In 2018, he was behind center for the Mödling Rangers in the AFL where he finished fifth overall in passing with 2,246 yards and 17 TDs. For the second year in a row, he was the league’s top rusher gaining 1,117 yards while scoring 17 touchdowns.
He spent the 2017 season with the Danube Dragons (4-6) where he led the Austrian league in rushing (1,132 yards and 20 TDs) and was fifth in passing throwing for 2,095 yards and 27 TDs. In other words he accounted for 282 of the Dragon’s 345 offensive points and led his team into the Austrian Football League semifinals. In 2015, he played 13 games in the German Football League (GFL) for the Stuttgart Scorpions, nine at quarterback. His stats were impressive. Potts threw for 2,038 yards and 17 touchdowns for the Scorpions. In addition, he racked up 1,073 rushing and 14 touchdowns.
In 2016, Potts signed a contract with a team in the fledgling National Gridiron League (NGL), an Australian professional football league. When the league decided to postpone it’s inaugural 2017 season Potts was left high and dry and out of football for the season.
The 6’1″, 205 lb native of Sardis, Ohio , began his college career in 2010 as a quarterback for the University of Akron (D-I) before switching to the wide receiver in 2011. Potts was also used as a punt and kick returner. In 2013, he transferred to the West Liberty University (D-II), where he quickly established himself starting 22 games in two years. In 2014, he was recognized as a USA College Football All-American at West Liberty
American Football International asked Dylan as a European veteran, his thoughts on playing as an import in Europe.
Potts: It’s very different living as a foreigner as compared to playing back home here in the United States. Every situation always has its benefits and it’s truly been a blessing to continue playing the game abroad. It’s a situation unlike any others coming to a country where you know no one, but at the end of the day it’s still just football. I’ve built so many friendships of guys I have had a chance to play with over the years, many whom I still keep in contact with regularly. I believe that Germany and Austria both have the top leagues here in Europe, that’s part of the reason I like playing in these two countries. But I’d compare the level in these two countries to the level of college ball.
