The Defensive Player of the Year Nominees

The European League of Football will celebrate its best players of the 2025 season at the ELF Honors. The award show takes place at Palm Beach in Stuttgart, on the evening before the ELF Championship Game. On this special night, winners will be announced in thirteen different categories, honoring the outstanding performances of the season.

One of the most prestigious awards is the Defensive Player of the Year. This award is given to the best defensive player of the season. The winner has demonstrated outstanding performance, leadership, and consistency, making key plays to stop the opposing team.

Eligibility: Any defensive player who has participated in the ongoing ELF season is eligible to win this award.

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Here are this year’s nominees:

AJ Wentland, Linebacker - Wroclaw Panthers

AJ Wentland is one of the most feared defenders in the entire league, and that comes down to his outstanding quality. The 30-year-old linebacker once again proved to be the anchor of the Panthers’ defense and finished as the top tackler of the ELF. Wentland is known for his versatility - whether it’s putting pressure on the quarterback, creating tackles for loss against running backs, or helping in pass coverage to make sure receivers don’t catch the ball.

Watch the Bravos at Surge highlights here!

Kyle Kitchens, Defensive End - Hamburg Sea Devils

Kyle Kitchens is once again in the conversation for Defensive Player of the Year as the league’s sack leader. His move from Berlin Thunder to the Hamburg Sea Devils was one of the most talked-about transfers of the offseason. While the Sea Devils’ season was up and down, Kitchens also started slow, recording only 1.5 sacks in the first five games. But with explosive performances against the Lions in Week 6 and the Bravos in Week 7, he recorded seven sacks and ten tackles for loss in just two weeks. Kitchens kept his momentum and defended his position at the top of the sack leaderboard until the end of the season.

Lautaro Frecha, Safety - Prague Lions

Safety Lautaro Frecha from Argentina was one of the key import players who helped turn around the Prague Lions. With five interceptions, he became a central part of their strong defense. The Lions finished with the sixth-best passing defense in the league and created the most interceptions overall, thanks in large part to Frecha’s performances. At 29 years old, he had already proven himself in four seasons with the Barcelona Dragons before making the move to Prague in the offseason.

Conclusion

These three defenders - AJ Wentland, Kyle Kitchens, and Lautaro Frecha - represent the very best of the European League of Football in 2025. Each of them has shown elite skills, leadership, and the ability to make game-changing plays. On the night of the ELF Honors in Stuttgart, one of them will be crowned Defensive Player of the Year - and add their name to ELF history.

Get your tickets for the ELF Championship Game here!