From Wasa Royals to the U.S. College Football League
Three football players with roots in Wasa Royals have taken a significant step in their playing careers. Samu Suominen, Mattias Kass, and Peter Lundström will begin this fall in the U.S. college football league, which is considered the second most competitive league in the world, right after the NFL.
Offensive lineman Samu Suominen has received a scholarship offer from the University of Massachusetts, whose team competes at the highest level of college football. His studies will begin in September. Suominen chose the university because it was the largest school that offered him a scholarship.
“Getting into U.S. college football is an opportunity you simply can’t pass up. I’m really happy with my choice. I could never have imagined this when I started playing football at the age of 10,” Suominen says.
VILPE Supports American Football
VILPE is the main sponsor of Wasa Royals and one of the biggest supporters of football in Western Finland. The Wasa Royals have had a major impact on Suominen.
“At 15, I got to play for the Royals’ senior team. When I joined the men’s first team and managed to do well, I realized this could become something bigger for me,” Suominen recalls.
“Royals helped me grow and gave me the boost to go abroad: first to the NFL Academy in England, and now to the U.S.,” he continues.
Dreaming of the NFL
Suominen dreams of reaching the highest level, the NFL. For the upcoming fall, he expects to grow as a player, physically and mentally. He also looks forward to experiencing everyday American life.
What fascinates Suominen about football is how different the sport is compared to traditional ones.
“I felt like I fit into the sport because I was big, and I could use my size to my advantage. American football also offers the chance to be one of the best in Finland and to build a career as a Finnish player,” he says.
We wish the players the best of luck for the coming season!