Belgian DL Sylvain Yondjouen balances NFL and CFL opportunities

Belgian defensive lineman Sylvain Yondjouen is navigating a unique football journey after signing as an undrafted free agent (UDFA) with the Carolina Panthers and being drafted sixth overall by the Saskatchewan Roughriders in the 2025 CFL Global Draft.

From Ruisbroek to the gridiron
Raised in Ruisbroek, a Flemish-speaking suburb of Brussels, Yondjouen initially dabbled in soccer, swimming, and track but found his passion at 16 after tagging along to a friend’s practice. He joined the Brussels Black Angels, one of the top clubs in the Belgian American Football League, where his size (6’4”, 260 lbs) and athleticism stood out among teammates spanning teens to veterans in their 40s.

Breakthrough and crossroads
His 2016 MVP performance for Belgium’s national team in a game against Spain caught the attention of scouts, leading him to Brandon Collier’s Premier Players International (PPI). After impressing at European combines, PPI’s U.S. college tour landed him a scholarship at Georgia Tech, where he developed into an All-ACC talent. Now, the Panthers aim to refine his raw potential, while Saskatchewan touts his “explosive edge” for the CFL.

“Football chose me,” Yondjouen said. “I’m ready to seize every snap, whether in Carolina or Saskatchewan.” His path underscores football’s global growth.