Björn Werner

Björn Werner (German pronunciation: [bjœɐ̯n ˈvɛɐ̯nɐ]) (born August 30, 1990) is a German-born American football outside linebacker for the Indianapolis Colts of the National Football League (NFL). He was drafted by the Colts in the first round of the 2013 NFL Draft. He played college football at Florida State, where he earned All-American recognition.

Early years

Werner grew up in the Berlin neighborhoods of Wedding and Reinickendorf.^[1] He originally played for the Berlin Adler, before attending Salisbury School in Salisbury, Connecticut, as an exchange student in 2007, as part of an exchange program organized by Pat Steenberge.^[2] He had 54 tackles, including 24 for losses, 12 sacks and two fumble recoveries in just eight games, but returned to Germany for his junior year. In 2008 he played in Będzin in U-19 Germany national team against Poland U-19, won 67–0. In 2009, Werner returned to Salisbury, and logged 57 tackles in seven games with three sacks, four forced fumbles and two blocked field goals as a senior.

Despite having played high school football for only two years, Werner was regarded a three-star recruit and ranked the fifth overall prospect in the state of Connecticut by Rivals.com.^[3] Werner chose FSU over Oregon, University of Miami, and California, during a National Signing Day telecast on ESPN.^[4]

Over spring break 2010, Werner married his girlfriend Denise, whom he had met in tenth grade in Berlin.^[5]

College career

Werner enrolled in Florida State University in Tallahassee, Florida, where he was a member of coach Jimbo Fisher's Florida State Seminoles football team in 2011 and 2012. He appeared in all 14 games as a true freshman, registering 20 tackles, including 6.0 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks, as a backup of senior defensive end Markus White. In his sophomore season, he took over as starter at left defensive end, registered 37 tackles, including 25 solo stops, 11 tackles for loss and 7 sacks for a Florida State defense that ranked second in rushing defense, fourth in scoring defense and sixth in total defense. In his junior season, he had his best collegiate season. He registered 42 tackles, 30 solo stops, 18 tackles for loss and 13 sacks. He was voted the 2012 Defensive Player of the Year.

Professional career

2013 NFL Draft

In preseason mock drafts from May 2012, Werner was listed as a late first-rounder for the 2013 NFL Draft.^[6] By mid-season, he had moved up to a top-3 spot.^[7] The Seminoles had not seen one of their players selected in the top-3 since Andre Wadsworth in 1998.^[8] On January 3, 2013, Werner announced his decision to enter the 2013 NFL Draft.^[9] He signed with agent Jimmy Sexton of Creative Artists Agency.^[10]

In the 2013 NFL Draft, the Indianapolis Colts selected him in the first round, 24th overall.

Indianapolis Colts

2013 season

On July 24, 2013, Werner signed a four-year contract worth $7.896 million featuring a $4.12 million signing bonus. On September 8, 2013 Werner played his first NFL game. During the 21-17 win over the Oakland Raiders Werner made also his first tackle. In week 15 Werner had his first sack in the NFL against the Houston Texans. During the 2013 regular season, Werner played in 13 games making 18 tackles with 4 passes defended and 2.5 sacks. Werner entered the playoffs with the Colts and played in both of the Colts' playoff games: their Wild Card weekend win over the Kansas City Chiefs and their Divisional round loss to the New England Patriots.

2014 season

Werner had 3 tackles in a Week 1 loss against the Denver Broncos. He had his first career two-sack game against the Baltimore Ravens in Week 5. After Week 7, however, his only stat other than tackles was a pass defensed in Week 16 against the Dallas Cowboys.^[12] Although he was active for the Colts' playoff wins over the Cincinnati Bengals and Denver Broncos, he was inactive for their AFC Championship Game loss to the New England Patriots.

References

External links

• Indianapolis Colts bio
• Florida State Seminoles bio