In 2024, Oberbayer Julius Welschof made the leap into the NFL as Undrafted Free Agent. For the Pittsburgh Steelers, he played an outstanding preseason, but then injured himself at the wrong time.
In an exclusive interview with sport.de-Cropetur Marcel Schmidt speaks about the feeling of the feeling of his first sack and his goals for the coming season. He also reveals what he would advise Travis Hunter and how TJ Watt is private.
Mr. Welschof, you are currently with and for the Steelers in Germany, what will be on you in the next few days?
Note: The interview was led April 11th.
Julius Welschof: We are guests in the headquarters of NFL Germany in Düsseldorf today, in the next two days at Borussia Dortmund. Tomorrow there will be a small round tour, on Sunday there is a flag football camp for primary school children who have never played football.
So I have a hit: How does the native Bavarian Julius Welschof like the cooperation between the Pittsburgh Steelers with the BVB?
Welschof: Good! Bundesliga teams are always cool. As a little boy I always wanted to be a soccer professional until I discovered the football for myself. Therefore, it is definitely exciting to look behind the scenes of a Bundesliga team.
What else was and is on the offseason for you?
Welschof: I spent the offseason in Pittsburgh with the Steelers and trained with the Strength coaches and also completed my running units. I used all the options that exist directly in the facility.
So did you completely train through and had little free time?
Welschof: Yes!
Then it is certainly all the better to be in Germany again, right?
Welschof: Exactly, so I was actually in Germany for ten days two months ago, that was my vacation this year. Now I was lucky that I got a paid vacation again, so to speak.
Let’s look at the last year when you really delivered in the Preseason with three sacks in two games. Do you still have the feeling in front of what it was like when you brought Ben Denucci to the ground for your first NFL sack?
Welschof: Yes, the first sack was one of the best. At first I thought that I was going past and no longer catching him. But then it was all the more beautiful when he was lying on the floor. You had the first sack and to see how the teammates were happy, was a cool feeling.
Then unfortunately the knee injury came and stopped the strong preseason shortly before the roster cuts. How close did you feel on the 53-man squad at that time?
Welschof: Very close. Especially after the good performance in the last game (two sacks against the Detroit Lions, ed. D. Red). There were also good feedback from the coaches. Unfortunately, the injury thwarted me. That is why the goal is to show such a performance again this year or to play even better in order to get another chance.
This means that the objective is clear: this year the jump should work into the squad?
Welschof: Exactly! I also focused on the special team to add again so that I can also secure the space.
The NFL draft will be pending in a few weeks. What do you think, what will the Pittsburgh Steelers do? In one or the other mock draft you can always read quarterbacks, even if the name Aaron Rodgers buzzes through the media. What is the prediction of you?
Welschof: I have to say that I have no knowledge. It all takes place behind closed doors. I don’t know where exactly is a man here. It is clear that we will need a quarterback at some point. I don’t know whether it comes from the draft or as a free agent. But there are people who really think about it all day. That’s why I have no concerns that these people will ultimately make the right decision.
Regardless of the quarterback position and the team. What are the most exciting prospects in the draft for you? Are there players we Travis Hunter or Edge Rusher Abdul Carter?
Welschof: Yes there are the two. Travis Hunter in particular is a player that you don’t see every year in the draft. In any case, it will be seen exciting where it ends up and how it is used. Whether now in the offense or defense. But basically I have the feeling that the later you have the pick in the first round, the more you can happen. I think after the top 5, maybe the top 10, it is again that you look at what position you need and whether there is a suitable player. So it is difficult to say who could land where.
Do you think that it is possible in the NFL to play in the offense and the defense and also contest a certain number of snaps? Or does Travis Hunter have to specialize?
Welschof: I personally believe that it will be difficult. The difference between college and NFL is a very very big one. Once the question is whether the body can participate in playing so many snaps offensive and defensive. And then being so good that it dominates in both positions becomes a big challenge. If he really sets this as a goal, he can do it, but if I speak for myself now: I’m happy when the offense is on the pitch and I can also take on.
In the end, I have to congratulate you on your engagement. One of the first congratulatory TJ Watt was on Instagram. For us outsiders, this is of course something special. Is it normal for you that such absolute superstars are so exhausted? Is dealing with them a normal?
Welschof: It is unusual when you see in the comments who congratulates you. I couldn’t have imagined that either. TJ also got offspring and is currently training in facility. You get to know him better and also in a more personal way. It is cool to get to know such players outside the square.