Thorian Skarsgard
 Skarsgard preparing to play at the Senior Bowl | |||||||||||
| No. 96 – Orange County Otters | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Position: | Linebacker/Defensive Tackle | ||||||||||
| Personal information | |||||||||||
| Born: | September 13, 2000 (aged 62) Oslo, Norway | ||||||||||
| Height: | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) | ||||||||||
| Weight: | 310 lb (141 kg) | ||||||||||
| Career information | |||||||||||
| High school: | Elvebakken Videregående Skole | ||||||||||
| College: | Rutgers University | ||||||||||
| ISFL Draft: | 2027 / Round: 1 / Pick: 6 | ||||||||||
| DSFL Draft: | 2026 / Round: 2 / Pick: 8 | ||||||||||
| Career history | |||||||||||
| Roster status: | Active | ||||||||||
| Career NSFL statistics as of Week 13, 2037 | |||||||||||
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Thorian Johannes Skarsgard (born September 13, 2000) is an American football defensive tackle for the Orange County Otters of the National Simulation Football League (NSFL). He played college football for Rutgers University before being drafted by the Orange County Otters in the 2027 ISFL Draft (S12). Prior to this, he had been drafted by the Tijuana Luchadores in the 2026 DSFL Draft (S11).
Early years
Thorian was born on September 13th, 2000 to parents Svarre and Anna Skarsgard. He was always large for his age, and excelled athletically from the time he was young. As with most Norweigan youth that are athletically inclined, he played hockey throughout high school. He was his team's star defenseman and won two national championships, but was permanently banned from the team his senior year because of numerous suspensions due to illegal hits and multiple fighting majors. Needing to find an outlet for his teenage aggression, he began to play rugby, which at the time was a growing sport in Norway. When his parents moved to the United States for his father's job, he ended up enrolling at Rutgers University.
College career
Upon enrolling at Rutgers, Thorian initially signed on to play for the university's intramural rugby team. While at practice one day during his freshman year, the football team's linebackers coach happened to notice him and suggested that he try walking on to the team. Beginning in his sophomore season, he immediately became the team's starting middle linebacker due mostly to his tenacity and incredible work ethic. After starting at middle linebacker for three consecutive seasons and setting numerous records at Rutgers including most career tackles and most career forced fumbles, he announced that he would be applying for the 2026 DSFL Draft.
College career statistics
Professional career
| Ht | Wt | 40‑yd dash | 20‑ss | 3‑cone | Vert jump | Broad | BP | Wonderlic | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) |
255 lb (116 kg) |
4.39 s | 4.36 s | 7.37 s | 30.8 in (0.78 m) |
10 ft 2.8 in (3.12 m) |
39 reps | 22 | ||||
| 2027 NSFL Scouting Combine | ||||||||||||
Tijuana Luchadores (2026-2027)
Skarsgard was drafted in the second round, eighth overall, during the 2026 DSFL Draft. He was considered by many to be one of the top defensive selections available, as he was the third linebacker selected and sixth defensive player selected overall. Skarsgard immediately made a name for himself on the field, becoming known as one of the fiercest tacklers in the entire DSFL. He finished his rookie campaign tied for fourth in the league in tackles, second in sacks, and eighth in pass deflections. His overall defensive play in his first season with the Luchadores earned him multiple nominations for Linebacker of the Year, but the award was ultimately won by fellow rookie, Charlie Trout. The Luchadores however would go just 5-9 during the regular season, sneaking into the playoffs against the heavily favored 9-5 San Antonio Marshals. The Luchadores would upset the Marshals 31-20, scoring three touchdowns in the second quarter. They would advance to the Ultimini game and have to face the league's' best team, the 13-1 Portland Pythons. In a hard fought defensive game, the Pythons would pull out the victory 13-6, sending Skarsgard and his Luchadores teammates back to Tijuana empty handed despite Thorian setting the Luchadores all-time record for tackles in a playoff game at 15. Over the offseason, being eligible to be selected in the NSFL Draft, he was taken in the first round, sixth overall by the Orange County Otters. Wanting to prove that he could help the already extremely talented Otters defensive unit, he approached the 2027 season with a renewed intensity. During preseason, his standout play as a rookie earned him being selected as one of Tijuana's defensive captains. The Luchadores would have a better showing during the regular season, due heavily in part to the play of the defense. They would finish the season 9-5, allowing the second fewest points in the league. Once again, Skarsgard's standout play came to the forefront, as he finished the season third in the league in tackles and tied for first in sacks. In a cruel twist of fate, his Luchadores would lose to the Marshals in their first playoff game, 13-7, but Skarsgard would go on to win Linebacker of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year, and co-DSFL MVP. This incredible success would launch him into the spotlight, and earn him the call up to the Otters that he had been hoping for.
Orange County Otters (2028-2035)
Chicago Butchers (2035-2037)
Return to Orange County (2037-2038)
Professional career statistics
| Legend | |
|---|---|
| NSFL Defensive Lineman of the Year | |
| Won the Ultimus | |
| Bold | Career high |
| DSFL career statistics | Tackles | Sacks | Pass Defense | Other | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | Games | Reg | TFL | Sack | PD | Int | FFum | FRec | DefTD | Sfty | |
| 2026 (S11) | TIJ | 14 | 125 | 4 | 7 | 10 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 2027 (S12) | TIJ | 14 | 122 | 2 | 8 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | |
| NSFL career statistics | Tackles | Sacks | Other | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | Games | Reg | TFL | Sack | FFum | FRec | Sfty | ||
| 2028 (S13) | OCO | 14 | 35 | 2 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 2029 (S14) | OCO | 14 | 55 | 2 | 14 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 2030 (S15) | OCO | 14 | 59 | 0 | 12 | 1 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 2031 (S16) | OCO | 13 | 49 | 2 | 11 | 1 | 0 | 1 | ||
| 2032 (S17) | OCO | 13 | 34 | 0 | 14 | 0 | 0 | 1 | ||
| 2033 (S18) | OCO | 13 | 37 | 1 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 2034 (S19) | OCO | 13 | 41 | 1 | 9 | 1 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 2035 (S20) | OCO/CHI | 13 | 42 | 0 | 7 | 1 | 1 | 0 | ||
| 2036 (S21) | CHI | 13 | 47 | 4 | 8 | 2 | 1 | 0 | ||
| 2037 (S22) | CHI/OCO | 13 | 40 | 2 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | ||
| Career | 133 | 439 | 14 | 97 | 7 | 2 | 2 | |||
Achievements and records
Awards
- Team
- NSFL Ultimus Champion (4): 2028, 2032, 2033, 2034
- ASFC Champion (5): 2028, 2032, 2033, 2034, 2037
- Individual
- NSFL Defensive Lineman of the Year (2): 2029, 2031
- NSFL Pro Bowl Selection (6): 2028 , 2029 , 2030 , 2031 , 2032 , 2033
Records
- League
Career Records
- 2037; Currently sits in sixth place for career sacks in the NSFL (97)
