Hot Take Friday – There will be a new sack record

There are just three weeks to go until the start of the 2023 European League of Football season. With 17 franchises and 107 games to play, there are plenty of opportunities for new records to bet set. While most people are excited about passing yards and touchdowns, I have my eyes set on the defensive side of the ball.

Right now, the European League of Football sack record is held by Berlin Thunder defensive end and two-time Defensive Player of the Year Kyle Kitchens, who recorded 16 sacks last season. Coming in in second place is now Rhein Fire pass rusher Alejandro Fernández with 15.5. While 16 sacks in 12 games is a great achievement, I believe that this record will be broken in 2023, given the overall quality of pass rushers the league has to offer in 2023.

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Higher level of play

Since there are plenty of new offensive lines that have never played on this level, or at least never played together, there will be a lot of chances for pass rushers to exploit weaknesses and take advantage of their opponents' inexperience.

Helvetic Guards' and former Tennessee Titans' outside linebacker JR Tavai is one of my early favorites to break the record over the course of the next twelve games. But others like Kyle Kitchens, Alejandro Fernández, Solomon Brown or Jan-Phillip Bombek will be in the conversation as well. Or will it be a young newcomer, who will dethrone the reigning DPOY? Since Fernández came really close last season, I would certainly not rule it out.

But regardless of who will do it, I am almost certain that this record is about to be broken.

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