Hamburg Sea Devils - Hungry for playoffs

With a new article series on our website, we want to introduce all of the sixteen European League of Football franchises for the 2025 season and what they are made of. One team that ELF fans will remember from the very beginning are the Hamburg Sea Devils. The team from northern Germany reached the Championship Game in both 2021 and 2022. But the Sea Devils failed to win a title. Things were supposed to get better, but instead the team missed the playoffs two years in a row. Reason enough for the front office to react and present some top signings this offseason.

Record player Kyle Kitchens for the Sea Devils

First and foremost: Kyle Kitchens. The 29-year-old is the best pass rusher in ELF history. Kitchens not only recorded the most career sacks in the league with 60, but also set a new single-season record with 16.5 sacks last season. He will be the heart of the Sea Devils defensive line next season.

With his understanding of the game, football IQ and raw power, Kitchens can single-handedly keep multiple opposing O-linemen busy. This creates important space and time for his teammates. A Kyle Kitchens makes every team and every D-Line better. Quarterbacks watch out!

Kyle Kitchens transferred from the Berlin Thunder to the Sea Devils ©Eric Muehle.

New QB Micah Leon gets new Playmaker Terryon Robinson

On offense, a new quarterback was needed. Similar to the entire team, the signal callers in particular fell far short of expectations last season. Micah Leon is now set to improve the situation. The 24-year-old played for seven years at various renowned colleges, including the University of Connecticut and the Florida Gators. He also took part in mini camps with an NFL team, the Miami Dolphins.

Leon therefore brings a lot of experience with to Hamburg. While Kitchens can take the defense to a new level, Leon can do the same with the offense. If this works, the Hamburg Sea Devils can be very dangerous next season.

He will be supported by an ELF-tested playmaker. Terryon Robinson proved to be a reliable playmaker with strong hands for the Istanbul Rams (2022), Cologne Centurions (2023) and most recently the Helvetic Mercenaries (2024). Robinson is now set for a very special reunion in Hamburg: the 30-year-old attended fourth grade in the USA together with Kyle Kitchens.

QB Micah Leon (l.) and his new receiver Terryon Robinson (r.) ©Jordan Herald/ Aileen Uzoma

Elite Cornerback Roedion Henrique

On defense, the Sea Devils brought in a new elite cornerback with Roedion Henrique. The Dutchman has already spent four seasons in the ELF and made several splash plays for the Leipzig Kings and Fehervar Enthroners. The former ELF All-Star has already made twelve interceptions, three of which he returned for a touchdown. In the Sea Devils jersey, he will probably frustrate many opposing wide receivers next season.

And there are quite a few of them in a top-class North Division. An experienced and talented cornerback is of enormous value to the secondary. Henrique could do his part to further stabilize the Sea Devils defense.

Roedion Henrique can strengthen the HSD Secondary. ©Petra Kutasi

Homegrown talent: Old friend Jean-Claude Madin Cerezo - TE-Star Levi Kruse 

In addition to outstanding imports, the Sea Devils also presented their fans with great homegrown talent, which should lay the foundation for success. Jean-Claude Madin Cerezo, an old friend, has returned. The wide receiver was one of the faces of the franchise's great ELF success in 2021 and 2022. Noah Bomba, who already has championship experience, was signed as another wideout. In 2021, he became the first ELF champion in history with Frankfurt Galaxy. 

2022. Cerezo can look back on several years of ELF experience and is considered a reliable target. QB Micah Leon could benefit greatly from this. 

Just like from star tight end Levi Kruse. The German national player is considered one of the best at his position and also a good catcher. Kruse also impresses with his strong blocking. 

Levi Kruse (l.) and Jean-Claude Madin Cerezo ©Jonas Wicker.

Eric Schlomm: One of the best kickers in the ELF

Eric Schlomm in particular stands out in the special teams. The homegrown kicker is one of the best in the European League of Football. In three years in the ELF, he scored 190 points and sank almost 80 percent of his field goals and 85 percent of his points after touchdowns. Schlemm is a German national player and was named Special Teams Player of the Year in 2022. He was also selected to the All-Star Team in the same year.

Knows how to kick a football: Sea Devils Captain Eric Schlomm ©Maxime Lepihif.

Outstanding Head Coach Shuan Fatah takes over

But a good squad also needs good coaches. And in Shuan Fatah, the Sea Devils have secured probably the best coach in Germany and one of the best in Europe as head coach. The 57-year-old has won numerous titles, including five NFL Europe World Bowls. He even won one of them with the Hamburg Sea Devils in 2007. Fatah later became head coach of the Austrian national team. He then took over the German national team from 2023 to 2024.

Experience Head Coach: Shuan Fatah ©Rasmus Nahrmann.

At the Sea Devils, Fatah is supported by his long-time companion Lee Rowland. They have worked together for many years on different teams. In Hamburg, Rowland will be the new offensive coordinator. 

Ray Woodard takes over on defense. The US coach formed a strong defense for the Madrid Bravos last season. Prior to that, he was active as a coach in the NFL Europe and at various US colleges. 

Season objectives - Sea Devils finally back in the playoffs?

After two disappointing years with records of 4-8 (2023) and 2-10 (2024), the Sea Devils' goal for the upcoming season should be clear: finally reach the playoffs again. To do so, however, they will first have to pass the current champions Rhein Fire in a strong North Division. In addition, a hungry newcomer is waiting with Nordic Storm. And Berlin Thunder, who also disappointed last season, are also likely to be hungry for success. 

However, the front office has proven this offseason how serious they are about the squad. The fans in Hamburg can look forward to some exciting football. And perhaps they will finally be able to celebrate success again.

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