You can hear them here from my podcast with John on July 1. I talk about him from the 48:23 mark to the 51:12 mark:
Plus, here are some comments and links I had about him in E.J.'s Futurecast thread from yesterday that some of you may have missed:
Not E.J., but Klein is a great prospect. Rivals rating undervalues him. Probably because he plays for a small private school that, although being in Georgia, plays a North Carolina private league schedule. Michigan coaches compare him to Thomas Fidone. This kid is a future NFL player. I have mentioned him on at least a couple of my podcasts. Frankly, he could end up being as good as any TE in the 2022 class.
Another thought on Klein. Although he plays for a very small private school in Georgia, he actually comes from a very strong football pedigree. He first hit my radar while playing for the Cologne Crocodiles in Germany. To me, the Crocodiles are the top junior talent producer in all of Germany.
Extracts translated from a recent German article on Klein:
Klein has only been playing football for three years - although that has always been his dream. But his school grades weren't good enough at first, and his parents were worried. "I then made a deal with my father. If I get better grades, he'll take me to a trial training session. And then I did it," says Klein.
So it went to the Cologne Crocodiles. The coaches immediately noticed his athletic prerequisites, he joined the team, played in the U16 regional league, and in the U19 youth league. But head coach David Drain (also QB and receiver coach of the German national team, editor's note) recognized the special talent.
"He wanted me to play in America," recalls Klein. One Thursday the coach called the teenager that he was going to a training camp on Saturday and Sunday. The organizer was Björn Werner and his company Gridiron Imports. The NFL expert helps make the leap to America for talent. And that's how it happened. Klein convinced, a short time later he went to the Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School.
Already in his first year he established himself as a starter, especially his good hands, size and speed make him extraordinary. He runs the 40 yard dash in 4.4 seconds - which is the current tight-end record in the NFL. Klein is two meters tall and weighs a good 100 kilograms.
College-Football - Marlin Klein: Europas größtes Football-Talent kommt aus Deutschland
Marlin Klein kommt aus Köln, und hat die meisten College-Angebote aller europäischen Spieler vorliegen. Dabei spielt er erst seit drei Jahren Football.
www.ran.de
Extracts from another recent German article where Klein was interviewed
Hello football friends,
Last week we introduced you to two top performers from the 2019 championship season who will move to the USA in 2020.
Now we would like to introduce you to two players who joined us in autumn 2018 from the successful U16 of the Crocodiles and immediately became an important part of the team, although neither of them were with us until the successful end of the season.
They are our # 18 Marlin Klein WR and K, as well as QB # 12 Joshua Castr o.
Marlin was already in the successful U16, which in 2018 for the 2nd time the Tit convince could pick el, with good performances. In autumn 2018 he came to the U19, where he constantly improved his performance. After our quarter-final match against the Berlin Rebels, Marlin moved to the USA at Rabun Gap High School and was able to show his potential in his first season. Although he will play on his high school team for another year, he has already received offers from the following Division 1 colleges: TCU Hornets, New Mexico Lobos, Acron Zips, South Florida Bulls, Michigan State Spartans, Nebraska Huskers, Michigan Wolverines, Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets, Arizona State Sun Devils and the UNC Charlotte 49ers.
Crocodiles: Describe your time with the crocodiles.
Marlin: The Crocodiles are the best youth program in Germany. I felt comfortable with every single training session and game. It wasn't like a team, it was more like a family.
Crocodiles: What experiences do you take back to the USA from your time with the Crocodiles?
Marlin: I took away a lot from my time with the Crocodiles. Technique and understanding of the game and even more so that I have become a better athlete through athletic training.
Crocodiles: What are your other expectations?
Marlin: My expectations are very high. It will all be a lot faster and tougher, but I want to measure myself against the best players. So this is the best step I can take.
Crocodiles: Thank you Marlin for taking the time. We wish you all the best and good luck on your future path.
Our WR coach Philipp Naßhan accompanied Marlin even before his U19 time and made the following statement:
Marlin is a player who attracts attention just by his stature. Due to its size and the associated speed, it is a very difficult player to defend. In the U15 Green Machine, a bit reserved and possibly shy, Marlin made rapid and positive development over the next two years, physically and mentally. He was a cornerstone in the offensive of the U16 team and managed to earn a regular place in his first season in the U19 mid-season. Deservedly, Marlin is currently a very popular player in the US, with many offers from universities.
U19 Cologne Crocodiles - Spieler im Interview - Cologne Crocodiles - Official Homepage
Interview mit den ehemaligen U19 Spielern #18 Marlin Klein WR und K, und QB #12 Joshua Castro.. Beide wechselten während der Saison 2019 an amerikanische High Schools und wollen auch auf dem College weiter ihr Können unter Beweis stellen. Wir haben sie nach nach ihren persönlichen Erfahrungen...
cologne-crocodiles.de
Another thought on the imminent Klein commitment. Landing Klein could also put us in a very strong position with another member of the Gridiron Imports (run by former FSU and NFL DE Björn Werner and they place European players at US high schools) family, stud 2023 Finnish OT Olays Alinen. I have mentioned Alinen in my podcast. He is Finnish football royalty as his father was the first Finn to sign an NFL contract. Plus Michigan was the first to offer.
I suspect that a European pipeline to Michigan is in the works. For a few reasons. First, Michigan has an international reputation as a university that few P5 schools can match. This is critical when recruiting Europeans, who do not have a specific university geographic footprint. Second, culturally and climate-wise Michigan is a great fit for these kids, most of whom are from central and northern Europe. This latter point also applies to other schools in the Midwest.
Plus, here are some comments and links I had about him in E.J.'s Futurecast thread from yesterday that some of you may have missed:
Not E.J., but Klein is a great prospect. Rivals rating undervalues him. Probably because he plays for a small private school that, although being in Georgia, plays a North Carolina private league schedule. Michigan coaches compare him to Thomas Fidone. This kid is a future NFL player. I have mentioned him on at least a couple of my podcasts. Frankly, he could end up being as good as any TE in the 2022 class.
Another thought on Klein. Although he plays for a very small private school in Georgia, he actually comes from a very strong football pedigree. He first hit my radar while playing for the Cologne Crocodiles in Germany. To me, the Crocodiles are the top junior talent producer in all of Germany.
Extracts translated from a recent German article on Klein:
Klein has only been playing football for three years - although that has always been his dream. But his school grades weren't good enough at first, and his parents were worried. "I then made a deal with my father. If I get better grades, he'll take me to a trial training session. And then I did it," says Klein.
So it went to the Cologne Crocodiles. The coaches immediately noticed his athletic prerequisites, he joined the team, played in the U16 regional league, and in the U19 youth league. But head coach David Drain (also QB and receiver coach of the German national team, editor's note) recognized the special talent.
"He wanted me to play in America," recalls Klein. One Thursday the coach called the teenager that he was going to a training camp on Saturday and Sunday. The organizer was Björn Werner and his company Gridiron Imports. The NFL expert helps make the leap to America for talent. And that's how it happened. Klein convinced, a short time later he went to the Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School.
Already in his first year he established himself as a starter, especially his good hands, size and speed make him extraordinary. He runs the 40 yard dash in 4.4 seconds - which is the current tight-end record in the NFL. Klein is two meters tall and weighs a good 100 kilograms.
College-Football - Marlin Klein: Europas größtes Football-Talent kommt aus Deutschland
Marlin Klein kommt aus Köln, und hat die meisten College-Angebote aller europäischen Spieler vorliegen. Dabei spielt er erst seit drei Jahren Football.
www.ran.de
Extracts from another recent German article where Klein was interviewed
Hello football friends,
Last week we introduced you to two top performers from the 2019 championship season who will move to the USA in 2020.
Now we would like to introduce you to two players who joined us in autumn 2018 from the successful U16 of the Crocodiles and immediately became an important part of the team, although neither of them were with us until the successful end of the season.
They are our # 18 Marlin Klein WR and K, as well as QB # 12 Joshua Castr o.
Marlin was already in the successful U16, which in 2018 for the 2nd time the Tit convince could pick el, with good performances. In autumn 2018 he came to the U19, where he constantly improved his performance. After our quarter-final match against the Berlin Rebels, Marlin moved to the USA at Rabun Gap High School and was able to show his potential in his first season. Although he will play on his high school team for another year, he has already received offers from the following Division 1 colleges: TCU Hornets, New Mexico Lobos, Acron Zips, South Florida Bulls, Michigan State Spartans, Nebraska Huskers, Michigan Wolverines, Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets, Arizona State Sun Devils and the UNC Charlotte 49ers.
Crocodiles: Describe your time with the crocodiles.
Marlin: The Crocodiles are the best youth program in Germany. I felt comfortable with every single training session and game. It wasn't like a team, it was more like a family.
Crocodiles: What experiences do you take back to the USA from your time with the Crocodiles?
Marlin: I took away a lot from my time with the Crocodiles. Technique and understanding of the game and even more so that I have become a better athlete through athletic training.
Crocodiles: What are your other expectations?
Marlin: My expectations are very high. It will all be a lot faster and tougher, but I want to measure myself against the best players. So this is the best step I can take.
Crocodiles: Thank you Marlin for taking the time. We wish you all the best and good luck on your future path.
Our WR coach Philipp Naßhan accompanied Marlin even before his U19 time and made the following statement:
Marlin is a player who attracts attention just by his stature. Due to its size and the associated speed, it is a very difficult player to defend. In the U15 Green Machine, a bit reserved and possibly shy, Marlin made rapid and positive development over the next two years, physically and mentally. He was a cornerstone in the offensive of the U16 team and managed to earn a regular place in his first season in the U19 mid-season. Deservedly, Marlin is currently a very popular player in the US, with many offers from universities.
U19 Cologne Crocodiles - Spieler im Interview - Cologne Crocodiles - Official Homepage
Interview mit den ehemaligen U19 Spielern #18 Marlin Klein WR und K, und QB #12 Joshua Castro.. Beide wechselten während der Saison 2019 an amerikanische High Schools und wollen auch auf dem College weiter ihr Können unter Beweis stellen. Wir haben sie nach nach ihren persönlichen Erfahrungen...
cologne-crocodiles.de
Another thought on the imminent Klein commitment. Landing Klein could also put us in a very strong position with another member of the Gridiron Imports (run by former FSU and NFL DE Björn Werner and they place European players at US high schools) family, stud 2023 Finnish OT Olays Alinen. I have mentioned Alinen in my podcast. He is Finnish football royalty as his father was the first Finn to sign an NFL contract. Plus Michigan was the first to offer.
I suspect that a European pipeline to Michigan is in the works. For a few reasons. First, Michigan has an international reputation as a university that few P5 schools can match. This is critical when recruiting Europeans, who do not have a specific university geographic footprint. Second, culturally and climate-wise Michigan is a great fit for these kids, most of whom are from central and northern Europe. This latter point also applies to other schools in the Midwest.
