The 2024 ELF season is in the books. Rhein Fire are champions for the second year in a row, the best players of the season have been honored and voted onto the All-Star teams. The season has once again produced some new stars. 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 offense.

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

Quarterback 1: Lars Heidrich (Stuttgart Surge)

Yes, the quarterback role is still dominated by imports. That doesn't stop Lars Heidrich from being an excellent backup. He has played in nine games. He completed 23 of his 35 passes for 345 yards and six touchdowns. He threw only one interception and was only sacked once. So when it counts, Surge can rely on his homegrown.

Quarterback 2: Levin Adrom (Munich Ravens)

His backup will be Levin Adrom. The 21-year-old was allowed to throw 20 balls last season. 15 of them went for 225 yards. The longest was even for 55 yards. Adrom also scored three touchdowns and no interceptions. Not bad.

Running Back 1: Dawid Brzozowski (Wroclaw Panthers)

Although he was not awarded as Homegrown of the Year this time, Dawid Brzozowski still delivered a brutal performance. The star running back ran for 1,119 yards and eight touchdowns in 214 attempts. That's an average of 5.23 yards per attempt. He also had 15 catches for 81 yards.

Dawid Brzozowski was nominated as "Homegrown of the Year". ©Lukasz Skwiot

Running Back 2: Justin Rodney (Munich Ravens)

Justin Rodney can also look back on a productive season. The German used his good offensive line and his experience to gain 875 yards in 127 attempts. That is the fourth most yards in the league and the second most by a homegrown player. Rodney also scored six touchdowns.

Fullback 1: Patrick Poetsch (Rhein Fire)

Admittedly, Patrick Poetsch's statistics are not breathtaking. After all, the 35-year-old experienced fullback did not even had a single run attempt. But he doesn't have to. Even so, Poetsch has a huge impact on the Rhein Fire's game. He is the one who significantly blocked the way for rushing leader and MVP Glen Toonga. 

Wide Receiver 1: Louis Geyer (Stuttgart Surge)

Louis Geyer was nominated as “Homegrown of the Year” at the ELF Honors. This alone legitimizes the 23-year-old's nomination in this team. However, his performances on the pitch also do this. He was able to catch 71 passes. These were enough for 854 yards and 13 touchdowns. He therefore had a major influence on the Surge's good season performance.

Louis Geyer knows how to catch a ball. ©Svenja Sabatini

Wide Receiver 2: Milan Spiller (Helvetic Mercenaries)

Milan Spiller was also nominated for the ELF Honors - as Offensive Rookie of the Year. He even won the award. Miller was one of the few bright spots in an otherwise rather weak Mercenaries offense. In his first season in the ELF, he caught balls for over 1000 yards. He also had five touchdowns. Well done.

Wide Receiver 3: Noah Touré (Vienna Vikings)

Noah Touré was also honored. The Vienna Vikings pass receiver was named Offensive Rookie of the Year. Touré became an important part of the offense just in his first season. With 50 receptions for 836 yards and eight touchdowns, he showed great promise for the coming season. This was immediately rewarded with a new three-year contract.

Tight End 1: Raul Cernuda Pastor (Madrid Bravos) 

A good tight end has to be able to do two things: Blocking and catching passes. Raul Cernuda Pastor can do both. He is even one of the best at his position when it comes to receiving passes. The 28-year-old caught 28 passes for 454 yards. He also scored five touchdowns for his team.

Tight End 2: Nicolai Schumann (Berlin Thunder)

Schumann can also catch passes. Last season, he caught 28 passes for 322 yards. He also caught four touchdowns. It was already his fourth season in the ELF. Schumann offers his quarterback Jakeb Sullivan, who by the way leads the league in passing yards, a good target.

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Offensive Tackle: Aleksandar Milanovic (Vienna Vikings)

The fact that the Vikings went 12-0 in the regular season was also due to a strong O-Line. Milanovic is the heart of that line. The experienced tackle is not only team captain, but was also selected to the ELF 1st All-Star team for the second year in a row. 

Teamcaptain and All-Star: Aleksandar Milanovic. ©Hannes Jirgal

Offensive Tackle: Sven Breidenbach (Rhein Fire)

Breidenbach also made it onto the All-Star team, but into the second team. That's not to diminish the 35-year-old's performance. Since entering the league three years ago, he has been one of the best O-linemen and has made the All-Star team every year.

Offensive Guard: Nick Wiens (Rhein Fire)

Teammate Nick Wiens has also earned his place in this team. Whether with the Cologne Centurions or Rhein Fire, where he has been playing since 2022, he has made a strong impression. Wiens also made the All-Star team for the second time in a row this year.

Offensive Guard: David Rauter (Vienna Vikings)

Rauter played an excellent season. The 30-year-old also played his part in the strong Vikings O-Line. The reward: Rauter was selected to the 1st All-Star Team. His first award, but a more than deserved one. 

Center: David Weinstock (Rhein Fire)

The last O-lineman is center David Weinstock. Just being part of the O-Line that blocked Glen Toonga's way to the MVP title is enough to be part of this selection. But Weinstock goes one step further. The connection between center and quarterback is essential. They set the rhythm of the offense and the game. Rhein Fire became ELF champions also thanks to a strong David Weinstock, who is also on the 1st Allstar Team.

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