The 2024 ELF season is over. The ELF got its first back-to-back champions, the best players of the season have been honored and voted onto the All-Star teams. We would like to take another look at a very special group of players: The Homegrowns. In other words, the local franchise players who make up the culture of their team. To do this, we are putting together our Homegrown team of the Year. Today the defense.

Disclaimer: This team has been selected editorially and not by team members, managers or fans.

Defensive End 1: Aaron Donkor (Rhein Fire)

In his first ELF season, Donkor already had a huge impact. The former NFL player recorded 39 tackles, including 14 for loss and 8.5 sacks. He recovered a fumble and even blocked a pass. Donkor was selected to the 2nd All-star team and celebrated the championship with Rhein Fire.

Defensive End 2: Johannes Zirngibl (Munich Ravens)

Zirngibl also terrorized the opposing quarterback. The 25-year-old collected nine sacks. He also cost the opposing team a lot of space in other ways. 14.5 of his 47 tackles were for loss. In total, he caused a loss of 116 yards. He blocked three passes, forced two fumbles and even got a safety. 

Defensive End 3: Yago Rivero (Madrid Bravos)

There are homegrown defensive ends who have more sacks. There are some with more tackles and tackles for loss. But what makes Yago Rivero so unique is his pass defense. Despite his position, the Spanish player recorded eleven pass deflections last season. An ability that starts to stand out after his transfer from the Barcelona Dragons to the Bravos. In addition, Rivero recorded 18 tackles, including four for loss, one forced fumble and 2.5 sacks.   

Defensive Tackle 1: Pierre-Yves Majo (Helvetic Mercenaries)

It took rookie Pierre-Yves Majo just one year to become an absolute top performer. The 23-year-old was rewarded with the title “Defensive Rookie of the Year” at the ELF Honors. Majo played a strong season with 29 tackles, including 16 for loss and seven sacks.

Homegrown star Pierre-Yves Majo. ©Noa Monn

Defensive Tackle 2: Hugo Klages (Rhein Fire) 

Klages impressed in his first season in the ELF. The run-stopper from champion Rhein Fire collected 23 tackles, including nine for loss and four sacks. Klages was even selected to the 1st All-Star Team.

Linebacker 1: Jonathan Falk (Helvetic Mercenaries)

In his last season as a football player, Falk got very serious. With 146 tackles (11.5 for loss), he had the second most in the league. He also had two sacks, an interception, a defensive touchdown and a forced fumble. Falk was even named “Homegrown of the Year” at the ELF Honors. That's a good way to say goodbye to retirement.

Linebacker 2: Marius Kensy (Rhein Fire)

The middle linebacker was an essential part of a strong Rhein Fire defense, without whom the championship title would not have been possible. Kensy had 94 tackles, 5.5 for loss, two sacks and one pass deflection.

Linebacker 3: János Zilai (Fehérvár Enthroners)

In an otherwise rather underwhelming Enthroners defense, Zilai is a bright spot. The 26-year-old has already reached the magic 100 tackle mark in his second ELF season. Six of these tackles were for loss. There were also two sacks and two pass deflections. He recovered one fumble.

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Cornerback 1: Andrea Fantin (Milano Seamen)

It was the young Italian's second season in the ELF. In his first he already showed potential, in his second he seems to have arrived. In addition to ten passes defended, he intercepted two balls, forced a fumble and even blocked a field goal attempt. He also collected 35 tackles, 2.5 of which resulted in a loss of space.

Cornerback 2: Nikolaus Huszar (Vienna Vikings)

Huszar is a permanent fixture at the Vikings. The Austrian has been a member of the Vienna squad since entering the league in 2022. He also shows his experience on the pitch. He set a new personal record with ten passes defended. He also has one interception and 32 tackles, of which twelve were for loss.

Cornerback 3: Wadjihe Said (Paris Musketeers)

The Musketeers showed good defensive management. Said, who was born in Paris, can also look back on a successful season. He made 24 tackles, one interception and ten pass deflections. The 28-year-old therefore achieved the second most deflections of his team.

Musketeers DB Wadjihe Said (right). ©Maxime Le Pihif

Safety: Benjamin Straight (Vienna Vikings)

Straight was an important part of the Vikings defense that paved the way to the final. He recorded a total of 48 tackles, 1.5 for loss. Against the pass, he caused seven pass deflections. He even intercepted four more balls and carried them back for 72 yards.

Safety: Eric Gracia Zapata (Barcelona Dragons)

The 20-year-old celebrated his rookie season in the ELF. With success. Zapata played eleven games, eight from the start. He made 35 tackles, one for loss and forced a fumble. His strengths clearly lie in pass defense. The young Spanish player intercepted one ball and recorded strong 21 pass deflections. More to come. 

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