The Dresden Monarchs, German Football League semifinalists in 2019, have re-signed the heart of their defense and quite possibly the top linebacker in Europe, AJ Wentland.
Wentland was a one-man tackling machine again in 2019. As he did in 2018, he led the league from wire to wire, with 205 tackles averaging 13 a game. He had 17 in Dresden’s 42-14 win over the Kiel Baltic Hurricanes early in the year and 16 in the Monarchs quarterfinal victory over the Marburg Mercenaries. His 205 tackles was one shy of his own record of 206 tackles in 2018.
The 6’3″, 225 lb native of Rockford, Illinois was a standout two-time All American linebacker with the McKendree University Bearcats (NCAA, Division II) where he was also a three-time All GLVC (Great Lakes Valley Conference) linebacker. Over three years he amassed a total of 412 tackles including 145 in 11 games in his senior year, 2017. He also had two touchdowns, three interceptions and six forced fumbles.
Check out highlights from 2018
