ELF: Vienna Vikings sign All-American DE Jamarcus Henderson

| American Football | 12/28/2022

The Vienna Vikings of the European League of Football have signed former NCAA D2 standout defensive end Jamarcus Henderson. The newest Viking is looking forward to helping Vienna defend its ELF title in 2023

“I’ve been interested in signing with Vienna since Coach Calaycay contacted me earlier this year. Since then, I watched and studied almost every game they played in the European League of Football. Also, the atmosphere and the fan base took me by surprise and seeing the support that the team had intrigued me. My expectations for 2023 are to win the championship again but go undefeated. I look forward to building chemistry with my teammates and supporting my team anyway I can.”

The 5’10”, 230-pound pass rusher is coming off a strong season playing for the Kotka Eagles in the Finnish Maple League. Henderson made 67 tackles, 14 tackles for a loss, four sacks, and forced four fumbles during the 2022 season. The year prior he suited up for the Cottbush Crayfish in Germany’s Regionalliga (3rd league). Following the ELF’s first season, Henderson suited up for a ‘ Team USA’ collective of players that faced off against the ELF’s European All-Stars.

During his collegiate days, the Union, South Carolina-born defender was named a D2 All-American following a standout senior campaign in 2018 For Newberry University (NCAA D2). During that season he made 79 tackles, 10.5 sacks, and made a school record 20.5 tackles for a loss. Henderson earned 1st All-South Atlantic Conference for the third consecutive season. Henderson’s career numbers reflect that as he finished his career at Newberry University with 252 career tackles, 31.5 sacks, and 64.5 tackles for a loss.

Henderson moves onto a Vienna defensive line replacing standout American defensive end Blake Nelson, who made 8 tackles, three sacks, and 4.5 tackles for a loss in only four appearances last season. Vienna’s defense looks to replicate thier perforamce from last year, officially re-signing defensive back Exavier Edwards, and domestic defensive backs Benjamin Straight, and Niko Huszar.

Alex is a former NCAA and semi-pro American football player who is now located in London, where he works in digital marketing. His goal in writing for AFI is to stay involved with the game that has given him so much. Alex enjoys covering leagues and