Determination and drive. These two attributes probably fit new Leipzig Kings linebacker Burak Efendioglu better than any other player in the European League of Football.

After starting his American football career back in 2016, the 23-year-old linebacker bought a one-way ticket to Santa Barbara, California, to chase his dream of playing college football.

“After finishing my rookie season [with the Ostabl Highlanders], I knew this sport was going to be a bigger part of my life and I decided to quit my full-time job, enroll in college, and take a one-way ticket to Santa Barbara, California,” Efendioglu explained. “Shortly after my arrival, I went to the head coach’s office, but he wasn’t really interested in a 19-year-old kid who wasn’t even close to being scouted by colleges or had any high school football experience whatsoever. As a matter of fact, when he found out thatI’ve only played a year of club football he was sort of unsure about me to say the least. He offered me a chance to prove myself and allowed me to try out for the team. I played both sides of the ball and was also in various special teams, which ultimately gave me a spot on the SBCC Vaqueros roster as a linebacker”.

After spending two years at SBCC, Efendioglu was offered a full scholarship by the New Mexico Highlands University. He went on to spend the next two years with the Division II program before he headed back to Europe.

Now, the German linebacker fulfilled his dream to play college football but is eager to further develop his skills on the biggest stage for American football in Europe. “I feel blessed to announce that I will be playing linebacker for the Leipzig Kings this year, and I already know that playing for this amazing franchise will not only bring me one step closer to my NFL dreams, but it will also sharpen my skills and perfect my craft. Go Kings!”

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