The NFL has announced its International Player Pathway Program Class of 2025. The 14 athletes include numerous Europeans and also two players who once played successfully in the European League of Football. 

Maceo Beard and Leander Wiegand will fight for their chance to make the long-awaited jump to the NFL.

ELF DPOY and All-Star

Cornerback Beard played three years in the ELF. The 24-year-old from France made his debut for Berlin Thunder in 2022. He made his breakthrough in 2023 wearing the jersey of the Helvetic Guards (now Helvetic Mercenaries). 

For the Swiss team, he collected 40 tackles, twelve pass deflections and eight interceptions. Beard was not only named to the All-Star team, but also voted "Defensive Player of the Year". In 2024, he joined the Paris Musketeers.

Offensive guard Leander Wiegand also impressed the NFL scouts with his strong performances. The 25-year-old German played for the Cologne Centurions, Rhein Fire and Munich Ravens. In three years in the ELF, he played 33 games, of which he started 29. Wiegand also made the 2023 All-Star Team.

Leander Wiegand has already impressed the NFL scouts. ©Steve Bunkahle

Intensive training under NFL conditions

From January 2025, both will be allowed to train for 10 weeks at NFL level in Florida, USA. The Pathway Program was launched in 2017 to develop young talents playing outside North America. After the training phase, the participants can prove themselves to the scouts of the NFL teams. 

Afterwards, there is the possibility of being signed. Every NFL team has been given one additional spot in the squad for Pathway Players. Since its foundation, 41 international players have already signed with NFL teams.

Not the first former ELF players

With Marcel Dabo (Stuttgart Surge) and Adedayo Odeleye (Berlin Thunder), two former ELF players have already been included in the 2021 program. Dabo currently plays on the practice squad of the Indianapolis Colts, Odeleye on the practice squad of the Baltimore Ravens. A goal that Wiegand and Beard might also be working towards now.

In addition to the two former ELF players, Europeans Dante Barnett and Mapalo Mwansa (both Great Britain), Aaron Sexton (Ireland) and Joachim Trouabal (France) have been included in this year's Pathway program.

Don't miss a single ELF Game - get your Game Pass!