Sweden’s 7 Time Champion Carlstad Crusaders sign WR Willie Tucker for 2017

| American Football | 11/04/2016

Seven time Swedish champion the Carlstad Crusaders have announced the signing of import wide receiver Willie Tucker taking their first big step to prepare for the 2017 season.

With room for only two non-European imports on the roster, Carlstad has chosen to replace one of the spots vacated by all star running back Brett Koepp with Tucker who enjoyed an outstanding career with the Cal Poly Mustangs (California Polytechnic State University) in the NCAA Division I Big Sky Conference.

The 24 year old Tucker (6’3″, 200 lbs) was the Mustangs leading receiver and was a key part of the team’s offense. Playing in a run-first triple option offense, over his career, he recorded 77 catches for 1,477 yards and 14 touchdowns. After undergoing two knee surgeries between 2013 and 2014, Tucker returned to the field with a vengeance in 2015. The offense placed him in many one on one situations and Tucker made the most of it with his athleticism.

Mustangs head coach Tim Walsh knew he had a weapon as he told the San Luis Opisbo Tribune:

“We know when he stays patient with his route running, he’s a tough guy to cover one-on-one. When you’re running the ball as well as we ran the ball, then people have to play man because they have to stop the run.”

Tucker is excited for the opportunity:

“I am very happy and blessed for the opportunity to play for Carlstad Crusaders, one of the best organizations in Europe, and for the new experiences I will have during my season in Sweden. This is one season I do not want to finish without taking a championship with me back home to the United States.”

John McKeon is a former professional and collegiate American Football player and coach now living and working in New York. His goal is to spread news, information, and opinion on the global growth of the sport he loves.