When the American Alliance of Football League kicks of February 9th, there will be one former Iowa football player on the roster.
The American Alliance of Football is a new football league that has some serious backing in the football industry. Taking lessons from where others have failed, the AAF is hoping to be the first football league in the United States to sustain success outside of the NFL. Unlike the United States Football League, who attempted to go toe to toe with the NFL at the encouragement of New Jersey General’s owner Donald Trump (yes, our current president Trump), this league is founded on the principles of being a developmental football league where former college players, such as the Iowa football program’s very own Akrum Wadley, can show the NFL what they can do.
Wadley, a very recent addition to the roster of the Atlanta Legends, joins the American Alliance of Football after going undrafted in last year’s 2018 NFL Draft. The former Iowa football star running back then signed on with the Titans where he was subsequently released in the last cuts of preseason. He spent last year entirely out of football.
Until this past week, the most recent development in Wadley’s career was that he would be joining the Ottawa Redblacks of the Canadian Football League according to The Athletic’s Scott Dochterman.
Looks like former Iowa RB @akrum_wadley is heading to the Ottawa @REDBLACKS of the CFL on a one-year deal and a second-year option. Surprised he didn't get signed by an NFL team for a future contract, but he's got a chance to be special in @CFL with that wide field.
— Scott Dochterman (@ScottDochterman) January 12, 2019
However, just a few days later, it sounds like the former Iowa football player had a change of heart.
Hearing former Iowa RB @akrum_wadley will opt for the new @TheAAF Atlanta franchise (Michael Vick is the OC) rather than sign a contract with the CFL’s Ottawa RedBlacks.
— Scott Dochterman (@ScottDochterman) January 16, 2019
He is now listed on the Atlanta Legend’s roster, and he is already getting involved with practice according to the Atlanta Legend’s twitter account.
Every rep counts. #AllHailATL pic.twitter.com/HYXgAI5vcg
— Atlanta Legends (@AafLegends) January 19, 2019
Wadley was not supposed to be the only Iowa football player heading to the AAF though. Former tight end Jake Duzey was reportedly signed to the Birmingham Iron’s roster in late September, however, his name is nowhere to be found on the updated Iron roster.
So for now, it will just be Akrum Wadley representing the University of Iowa football team in the newest football league in America. His first game will take place Saturday, February 9th at 7 PM CST when the Legends take on the Orlando Apollos. If you happen to be in the area, tickets can be had for under $10.
Hopefully, this opportunity will translate into a future NFL roster spot for the electric running back.