Junior Aho’s great adventure in the United States will continue. After completing his university course with the Mustangs of SMU (Southern Methodist University, a Dallas university) last December, the French player, who plays defensive tackle (in the middle of the defensive line), will now discover another universe, even most fascinating: that of the NFL.
Thursday, Aho (24 years old, 1.93 m, 117 kg) was one of eight non-American and non-Canadian players (where we also play high-level US football) selected via an international program set up by the NFL since 2017 (IPP, for International Player Pathway), to allow the integration of foreign players. Junior Aho will now train with the Minnesota Vikings, often seen in the playoffs but still looking for a first Super Bowl win.
“I stay focused. The NFL is beautiful. Playing it is even more beautiful”
Junior Aho, French football player
” I’m super happy, super excitedsaid Junior Aho. It is the work of a lifetime. But I stay focused. The NFL is beautiful, but playing it is even more beautiful. “Because, for the moment, nothing indicates that Aho will tread the grounds from next September and become the second French pro (after Richard Tardits in New England from 1990 to 1992). He will take part in the Vikings training camp in July, where many players will fight to earn a place in the team, and will play preseason matches.
Then, he has a good chance of joining the “practice squad”, a reserve team whose members do not participate in the championship. A handful of players have however managed to move from the IPP program to the NFL season, such as the Australian Jordan Mailata, holder for the past two seasons on the Philadelphia Eagles offensive line. Either way, Aho has taken a great step. Did he think about it when he started playing American football at the age of 15 in Nice, his hometown, after having tried combat sports, martial arts, breakdance and… “soccer”.
Defensive end or linebacker for the Vikings
” I hooked up straight awaysays Aho. But the highest seemed the France team. “After being European champion with the Blues in 2018, Junior Aho set out to conquer the United States, first in a junior college in New Mexico and then at SMU. From his first season, he showed off: We were playing against Memphis, a team against which we had been losing for 10 years and we were trailing. I sacked the quarterback and recovered the ball. And we won “.
His performances also caught the eye of the Canadian pro league, the CFL. The British Columbia Lions drafted him on Tuesday. But Aho has already declined this opportunity. He wants the NFL. The Minnesota Vikings also intend to play defensive end or outside linebacker, positions where we go hunting for the quarterback. Nothing like showing off and winning your place.