In a highly anticipated matchup in Loughborough England, the NFL Academy will play host to the Schwäbisch Hall Unicorns U19 team pitting one of Germany’s top youth programs against the UK’s top prep program.
The UK’s premiere youth football program features several players with D1 scholarship offers including 4-star offensive lineman Daniel Akinkunmi. At quarterback, Sam Fenton should take the majority of the snaps behind center as the 6’6″ pocket passer has shown off a big arm before and will look to command the NFL Academy offense against a well-coached and physical Unicorns defense.
The NFL Academy’s defense features 4-star recruit Emmanuel Okoye out of Nigeria. The former basketball player recently picked up a slew of scholarship offers including one from the reigning NCAA national champion Georgia Bulldogs. The 6’6 defensive end will be joined by speedy linebackers Isaak Ubaka and Jadiel Wahab, with safety Timi Oke in the back end.
The Unicorns in their own right are one of Europe’s top junior programs producing several NCAA players over the past few seasons including TCU tight end Alex Honig. Christian Honig, Alex’s younger brother is one of the team’s top players as a deep-threat wide receiver.
Another promising prospect for Schwäbisch Hall is 6’6 tight end Benjamin Kienz. Keinz is an strong in-line blocker and has shown the ability to win contested catches with his large frame. Next to Keinz, at offensive tackle is 6’5 320-lb lineman Noel Portnjagin who looks to be one of the Unicorns leaders in the locker room in 2023.
The Schwäbisch Hall offense features three players on the U19 German national team as receivers Cem Kahveci and Konstantin Stricker, as well as running back Justus Seelig and offensive lineman Pascal Durr.
The Unicorns defense also features some intriguing young talent including cornerback Luca Otterbach linebackers John Said, Benedict Seibert, and safety Liam Amiri.
Expect a well played game as the Unicorns hope to knock off the a NFL Academy team that recently beat the Bavarian All-Star team and Paris’s Flash La Courneuve late last year.