ELF to NFL! Leander Wiegand signs with the NY Jets

Following day 3 of the NFL Draft yesterday the New York Jets signed former ELF player Leander Wiegand as a undrafted free agent. The former ELF champion and All-Star now takes his talents from Germany to the big stage in the NFL.

Wiegand joined the NFL's International Player Pathway Program this year along with fellow ELF players, Maceo Beard, Lenny Krieg, and Bastian Roppelt. Wiegand impressed scouts on his pro day with a eyebrow raising performance. Wiegand had 38 reps on the bench press test, 5 more than any other player at the NFL combine this year. 

Weigand is now the second ELF player this off-season to be signed by the NFL as former Stuttgart Surge kicker Lenny Krieg  signed with the Atlanta Falcons earlier this spring. 

The talented German lineman played one season at University of Central Florida (NCAA D1) before returning to Germany in 2022 playing for the Cologne Centurions that season. The following season Wiegand was a key part of the Rhein Fire's championship offensive line earning 1st team All ELF Honors. 

2024, marked another move as Weigand joined the Munich Ravens, where he was coached by NFL Hall of famer Joe Thomas. 

The 25-year old, 196 cm and 137 kg lineman now makes a huge jump from the ELF to the NFL with the New York Jets. 

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