The Defensive Rookie of the Year Nominees
Felix Pahl
The ELF Honors will take place at Palm Beach in Stuttgart on the evening before the European League of Football Championship Game 2025. On this special night, winners in 13 categories will be crowned, celebrating the standout performers of the season.
Among the categories is the Defensive Rookie of the Year Award. This award is given to the best first-year defensive player. The winner has made a big impact on the field, showcasing great skills, effort, and potential throughout the season.
Eligibility: Any defensive Homegrown or E-Import player in his first season in the ELF, not older than 23 at the time of the Championship Game. (To be eligible in 2025, the player must be born on or after September 8th, 2001).
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Here are this year’s nominees:
Arthur Kingdom, Linebacker - Prague Lions
In his first ELF season, Arthur Kingdom quickly became a key factor for the Prague Lions, helping the Czech franchise to their first-ever winning record. Kingdom had a fantastic year and proved his ability to make big plays. In the first matchup against the Frankfurt Galaxy, he delivered an outstanding performance with 7 tackles, 1 sack, 1 tackle for loss, and 1 interception - a clear sign of his potential.
Niklas Steinbüchel, Safety - Cologne Centurions
For the Cologne Centurions, the season was difficult, ending without a single victory. Still, one bright spot stood out: rookie safety Niklas Steinbüchel. At just 23 years old, he became the team’s tackle leader with 67 tackles, consistently stepping up to stop opponents and limit big plays. Despite being in his first ELF season, Steinbüchel grew into a defensive leader for Cologne, showing maturity beyond his years.
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Jamie Riedel, Defensive Tackle - Hamburg Sea Devils
The Hamburg Sea Devils also saw a rookie shine on the defensive side of the ball. At only 20 years old, defensive tackle Jamie Riedel put up impressive numbers in his first season, ranking among the best at his position across the league. Playing alongside ELF star Kyle Kitchens, Riedel recorded 41 tackles, 4.5 sacks, 11 tackles for loss, and 2 pass breakups across all 12 games. His production proved that his age is no barrier, and his talent makes him one of the most exciting young players in the ELF.
A glimpse into the future
The Defensive Rookie of the Year Award shines a spotlight on the next generation of football talent. Whether it is Kingdom’s playmaking ability in Prague, Steinbüchel’s leadership in Cologne, or Riedel’s dominance on Hamburg’s defensive line, each nominee has already left a big mark in their debut season. On the night before the Championship Game in Stuttgart, one of them will be honored at the ELF Honors – but all three have shown that the future of defense in the league is in good hands.
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