ELF to NFL - The journey of athletes over the years

Since the European League of Football's first season in 2021, the league has positioned itself not only as a professional platform for Amercian football players in Europe, but also as a potential steppingstone into the NFL.

The league has made it a goal to help bridge the gap for international talent, offering exposure, competition, and pathways such as its connections the NFL’s International Player Pathway  program. Over the last five seasons, a few former ELF players have managed to secure NFL opportunities through many different paths. 

From the Wroclaw Panthers to the Dallas Cowboys - KR/WR KaVontae Turpin

KaVontae Turpin is perhaps the most prominent example of a player who passed through the ELF on his path to NFL success. He joined the Wroclaw Panthers in the ELF’s inaugural 2021 season, where he made a strong impact in limited time with impressive all-purpose yardage totals. After that stint in Europe, he moved on to the USFL, where he became league MVP in 2022, and then signed with the Dallas Cowboys in the NFL. 

In the NFL, Turpin has established himself as an elite return specialist and sutiational pass catcher, earning Pro Bowl honors after the 2024 season and securing a multi‑year contract extension with the Dallas Cowboys. 

From Germany to the "Big Apple" - OL Leander Wiegand

Leander Wiegand is a German offensive lineman who played in the ELF before entering the NFL through the International Player Pathway program. He saw ELF action with teams like the Cologne Centurions, Rhein Fire, and Munich Ravens. In 2025, Wiegand signed with the New York Jets as an undrafted free agent through IPP, joining their practice squad.  He stood out at the IPP Pro Day, putting up 38 bench press reps and showing strength that drew league-wide attention. While he has not yet appeared in regular season games, his presence on a Jets roster represents a direct ELF to NFL pipeline in action.

From kicking field goals in Stuttgart to a perfect outing at the 2025 NFL Combine - K Lenny Krieg

Lenny Krieg is a German kicker who moved from the ELF into the NFL framework through the IPP program, similar to German offensive lineman Leander Wiegand. He played for the Stuttgart Surge in the ELF before earning a slot in the NFL’s International Player Pathway program.

After his ELF performance, he participated in NFL IPP Pro Day events and impressed scouts, including with a perfect field‑goal series at the 2025 NFL combine where he was the only kicker out of all American and international kickers that made every single try.  He is now listed as part of the Atlanta Falcons in the NFL as a kicker, wating for his opportunity to appear in a regular season game. 

Speed, strength, technique, endurance, mindset - DB Marcel Dabo

Marcel Dabo’s story is one of early transition from ELF to the NFL. He played for the Stuttgart Surge in the 2021 ELF season and was named Defensive Rookie of the Year in that year. After that, he gained entry to the NFL through the International Player Pathway program and joined the Indianapolis Colts in 2022 on their practice squad.

Over the next seasons, he remained with Colts’ practice squads, re‑signing reserve/future contracts to stay with the team. As of 2025, Dabo was waived by the Colts in May, though the team earlier extended him with a futures contract, reflecting his ongoing connection to the NFL system. 

From Britain through Berlin to the NFL - DE Adedayo Odeleye

Adedayo Odeleye is a Nigerian‑British defensive end who played for the Berlin Thunder in the ELF in 2021, putting up strong numbers such as sacks and tackles for loss and earning selection to the ELF All‑Star team. He then entered the NFL through the International Player Pathway program in 2022, just like Marcel Dabo, signing with the Houston Texans and later moving to the Baltimore Ravens. In 2025, Odeleye signed with the Dallas Cowboys (practice squad) under the international player exemption. 

© Svenja Sabatini / Stuttgart Surge