NFL International Player Pathway spotlight: Marlon Werthmann OL, Germany

| 2022 NFL International Pathway Program | 12/15/2022

Hailing from one of Europe’s top football programs, this young NFL prospect comes from a program with an abundance of pride, skill, talent, and trophies. The NFL announced that German offensive lineman Marlon Werthmann of the Schwäbisch Hall Unicorns was selected as one of the 11 invites to this year’s NFL International Player Pathway program (NFL IPP)

Instituted in 2017, the NFL International Player Pathway program aims to give elite international athletes the opportunity to compete at the NFL level, improve their skills, and ultimately earn a spot on an NFL roster.

So far, the program has helped players such as Jordan Mailata (Philadelphia Eagles/Australia), Sammis Reyes (Chicago Bears/Chile), and Jakob Johnson (New England Patriots/Germany) earn roster spots in the NFL.

The 6 ‘4″, 290-pound, 20-year-old is known as a workout warrior bench pressing over 400 pounds and deadlifting over 600 pounds. Werthmann is a product of one of Germany’s top youth programs in the Schwäbisch Hall Unicorns. He was the starting guard for the undefeated Unicorns in the German Football League this year.

“The International Player Pathway program is an important part of our efforts to promote the game worldwide and pave the way for international athletes to enter the NFL. We’re excited to have Marlon representing Germany on the International Player Pathway for 2023, and we look forward to seeing him compete for a future spot on an NFL roster.” – Alexander Steinforth, GM NFL Germany.

The young offensive lineman was invited to the NFL International Combine in London, England in October, impressing scouts with his technique, athleticism, and upper body strength. Just a few days later he brought the German Bowl trophy back to Schwäbisch Hall.

Werthmann grew up near  Schwäbisch Hall in Mannheim, Germany. At the age of 12, he started playing American football. As a teenager he was part of the Gridiron Imports group and was recruited by several D1 NCAA programs including Maine, Buffalo and UConn until COVID-19 ruled out many of the NCAA opportunities he had. Since then, Werthmann has stayed in Germany and earned a starting role of the German Bowl Champion  Schwäbisch Hall Unicorns this past season.

Alex is a former NCAA and semi-pro American football player who is now located in London, where he works in digital marketing. His goal in writing for AFI is to stay involved with the game that has given him so much. Alex enjoys covering leagues and