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LONDON — The NFL academy has been improving its local recruitment and the results are starting to show with several recent graduates now playing for some high-level U.S. colleges. Germans and Swedes typically comprise most of the top European prospects for American college football, but the U.K. talent is gaining momentum. Rafael Varona Blakstad switched from rugby to American football in hopes of earning a scholarship to a Division I school next year. Academy graduate Timi Oke went from south London to Northwestern despite the cornerback taking up football at age 18. Another local alum is Oklahoma offensive tackle Daniel Akinkunmi.
