Three former Seton Hill Griffins will be spending the new year playing professionally oversees in the German Football League. The three former Seton Hill standouts will be members of the Cologne Crocodiles. The three include former quarterback Christian Strong, former wide receiver/running back Jarvis McClam and former defensive back Fardan Allen.
The Cologne Crocodiles are based in the North Rhine-Westphalia, the western side of the German state. They are led by head coach David Odenthal, who graduated and started for four years at Toledo University from 2000-2004 and had his NFL stint with the Cardinals and Texans along with NFL Europe’s Centurions and Rhine Fire (2005-2007). The Crocs are aiming to build and improve on last year’s success and are looking for these three SHU Alumni to help impact this run.
The German Football League is an American football league in Germany and was formed in 1979. Playing rules are based on those of the NCAA. There are 16 teams that compromise the GFL, eight teams that represent the North (Nörd) and another eight that fill up the South (Süd). Each team is allowed 4-5 North American Imports making the opportunity slim for many athletes that are unable to receive the “Big League” contracts (NFL / CFL).
Strong spent last season with the Crocodiles where helped lead the number two offense in the GFL. He threw for 3,470 yards and 33 touchdowns while rushing for two more touchdowns. Christian was named a GFL All Star and was named the team’s MVP. Strong earned the GFL’s top passer award five times during the league’s ten week season.
McClam spent last season with the Langenfeld Longhorns of GFL2. He rushed for 338 yards and four touchdowns while having 797 reception yards and seven touchdowns. Jarvis also added two punt return touchdowns.
Allen played last season for the Sioux City Bandits in the Champions Indoor Football League. He was named the league’s Defensive Rookie of the Year.
At Seton Hill, Strong rewrote the Seton Hill passing record books. Christian owns the all time passing yards mark (9,305). In addition he holds SHU records for passing attempts (1,289), passing completions (741) and passing touchdowns (62). Strong also holds all of the single season marks for those statistics.
McClam was a four year starter for the Griffins and a three year All PSAC West selection. Jarvis also was named to the Don Hansen’s All Region Team. He holds the Seton Hill single game rushing record with 291 yards against Slippery Rock in 2017. Jarvis is also second all time in all purpose yards and receptions.
Allen was named a first team All PSAC West selection following his senior season in 2019. He led the Griffins with four interceptions in 2019 and was third with 71 total tackles.