Team Japan heads to 2018 IFAF U19 World Championships with 45 man roster

AFI | 2018 IFAF U19 World Championship | 07/10/2018

QB Nozawa (left) was high school champion for 2 years at Yuzhen Gakuen and went to Ritsumeikan University; Chairman of the Japan American Football Association Makoto Kuniyoshi (center) OL Sharuda (right) of the University of Tokyo. Photo: Yosei Kozano

The Japan American Football Association has announced the roster and coaching staff for the Fifth International Federation of American Football U-19 World Championships which start July 14 in Mexico’s capital, Mexico City.

Team Japan has set a 45 man roster with a coaching and support staff of 18.

Athletes from a total of 13 universities and five high schools will be representing Japan in Mexico City. Nihon University has the highest number of representatives with seven, while Ritsumeikan University has six players on the roster. Hosei Unversity and Meiji have five each while Waseda and Kwansei Gakuin have four. Rikkyo is represented by two players while Keio, Tokyo, Momoyama Gakuin, Kansai and Ryukoku all have one each. Ritsumeikan HS has two athletes on the squad followed by Mino Jiyu Gakuen HS, Osaka Sangyo University HS and Takasuki HS all with one.

The offensive roster contains three quarterbacks, three running backs, nine wide receivers/tight ends, eight offensive linemen. On defense there are eight defensive linemen, six linebackers and eight defensive backs. Five high school students were also chosen.

Team Japan opens the tournament on July 14 when they face Mexico.