ELF: Vienna Vikings sign NCAA Div. III MVP QB Jackson Erdmann

| American Football | 12/25/2021

The Vienna Vikings of the European League of Football have signed quarterback Jackson “Jerdy” Erdmann.

As Erdmann explains it, since his family has roots in Vienna, signing with the Vikings’ was a no brainer:

“My grandmother Ursula was born in Vienna then was raised in Germany. I have a lot of relatives in Europe, I can’t wait to come over and measure myself against the best players on the continent.”

The 6’3,” 215-pound passer makes his way to Vienna after spending 2021 in the Fan-Controlled-Football League (FCF) playing for the Wild Aces. In the indoor league, Erdmann threw for 284 yards and six touchdowns while adding another 39 yards and one score on the ground. The 24-year old’s accuracy and decision-making were key factors of the Wild Aces championship run. Following the season, Erdmann was invited to the University of Minnesota Pro day. The Rosemont, Minnesota native remained on the NFL’s radar working out for the Minnesota Vikings and Chicago Bears during the season. Erdmann joins FCF alumni Madre London, Kyle Kitchens, and David Meza in the European League of Football.

Erdmann’s collegiate career began as a walk on in 2015 at Penn State University (NCAA D1). The next season Erdmann transferred closer to home joining Saint John’s University Johnnies (Minnesota), the winningest football program in the NCAA’s Division III. In his four seasons with the Johnnies, Erdmann put up an impressive 11,888 yards and 142 touchdowns in his career. In his junior campaign he earned the 2018 Gagliardi Trophy as NCAA Division III’s most outstanding player in addition to All-American honors.

The Division III standout joins head coach Chris Calaycays’s team looking to compete for the ELF championship in their first season in the league. Erdmann will surely look to target talented newcomers in former Clemson (NCAA D1) receiver Diondre Overton and Spanish tight end Adria Botella Moreno, along with returning playmakers Florian Wegen and Daniel Schwam.

Coach Calaycay on his new quarterback:

“Jackson is just one of those quarterback personalities that bring everyone together. His accolades are impressive but how he has handled himself as a college player and as a professional tells me all I need to know; he is a Vikings’ guy. I am very happy that Jackson is our QB1“.

Watch Erdmann highlights here:

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