Helvetic Mercenaries

The opening weekend of the 2025 ELF season is just a few days away. The fans are excited, the teams are prepared, and the big party can begin. Just don't lose and crash the party, right?  A defeat in the first game of the season can really reduce the euphoria. Especially if it is a clear defeat. It's worth taking a look at the statistics. Which teams have won their season-opening games most often?  Note: Since not all teams have been part of the European League of Football since 2021, not every team has played the same number of opening games. Therefore, the sorting is based on the percentage of success. The newly founded franchise Nordic Storm has not yet had an opening game and is therefore missing from the list. Some fans must be very strong now. Five franchises have not been able to win any of their season-opening games yet. Frankfurt Galaxy (2021: L, 2022: L, 2023: L, 2024: L) Fehérvár Enthroners (2023: L, 2024: L) Prague Lions (2023: L, 2024: L) Munich Ravens (2023: L, 2024: L) Helvetic Mercenaries (2023: L, 2024: L) Two other teams are slightly better, but still not in the best position. They were each only able to win a quarter of their season opening games.  Berlin Thunder (2021: L, 2022: L, 2023: W, 2024: L) Cologne Centurions (2021: L, 2022: W, 2023: L, 2024: L)     We have made it past the halfway mark. Of the three games, this franchise only lost one. Raiders Tirol (2022: L, 2023: W, 2024: W) We are getting closer to perfection. Nevertheless, there have been defeats.  Hamburg Sea Devils (2021: W, 2022: W, 2023: L, 2024: W) Stuttgart Surge (2021: W, 2022: L, 2023: W, 2024: W)   Let's move on to the elite. Fans of these five teams can statistically expect a victory in this year's opener. Wroclaw Panthers (2021: W, 2022: W, 2023: W, 2024: W) Vienna Vikings (2022: W, 2023: W, 2024: W) Rhein Fire (2022: W, 2023: W, 2024: W) Paris Musketeers (2023: W, 2024: W) Madrid Bravos (2024: W) The days of May 17 and 18, 2025, will show whether they can do it again this year. Because that's when the 2025 season of the European league of football finally begins. Don't miss a single ELF Game - get your Game Pass!

As any fan of the European League of Football knows a team is only as good as its homegrowns. This year experts are noticing even more european talent across the league as many young talents hope to make a mark on the ELF this season. Lets take a look at 5 new European players looking to break out this season. WR Daniel Pedro - Stuttgart Surge Pedro was a key player for the Potsdam Royals in the 2024 season, helping them win the GFL championship. He impressed with 915 receiving yards and 14 touchdowns in 15 games, proving himself as a reliable and explosive playmaker.   DE RJ Sagna - Helvetic Mercenaries Sagna is a physical freak measuring in at 1.97 108kg. The long armed and quick defensive end is committed to Penn State (NCAA DI). Before he goes off to compete in the highest level of college football Sagna hopes to improve his game in the ELF this season. RB Nico Barrow - Madrid Bravos The Finnish running back makes his highly anticipated ELF debut after years of putting up numbers in Finland and Germany’s domestic leagues. Barrow is a smooth but powerful runner who displays soft hands out of the backfield. Expect him to break out in Andrew Weidingers offense. RB Tim Tonko - Raiders Tirol The young running back has been a star on the Austrian national team before and even won the Austrian Football League’s “Young Star of the Year” award last season. Now he hopes to make the jump to the ELF and become a playmaker for his hometown Raiders Tirol.  LB Arthur Kingdom - Prague Lions The British national team linebacker spent last season playing for the Potsdam Royals of the German Football League. Kingdom hopes to show off his talent on the bigger stage now as he helps bring in a new era of Prague Lions football in 2025.  Get Your Ticket to the 2025 ELF Championship Game

As season five of the ELF rapidly approaches let’s take a look at a shortlist of new players entering the league that have the potential to become future stars of the upcoming season: WR Keelan Cole - Helvetic Mercenaries Cole’s resume speaks for itself, putting up 2,832 yards and 14 touchdowns in 93 NFL games over the course of a long and fruitful NFL career. Cole will no doubt be the face of the franchise for the Helvetic Mercenaries as he hopes to take the Swiss squad to new heights. QB Reid Sinnett - Madrid Bravos Sinnet is a veteran professional quarterback having spent 4 seasons in the NFL with several teams. He also was a starter in the XFL and USFL. Now he brings all his pro experience to the up and coming Madrid Bravos team led by new head coach Andrew Weidinger.  QB Jaylon Henderson - Paris Musketeers Henderson has been on ELF teams watchlists for several years now as the former Boise State Bronco has been tearing it up in the German Football League the past two seasons. After winning back to back titles and putting up video game like numbers in the GFL.  The Musketeers were finally able to convince Henderson to Join the ELF. He now takes over for ELF veteran Zach Edwards on a Musketeers team that made the semi-finals and is now led by former NFL head coach Jack Del Rio.    WR Jeff Cotton - Stuttgart Surge Cotton comes to Europe for the first time in his career this season. The former Idaho Vandals star spent time with the Green Bay Packers, Jacksonville Jaguars, and Arizona Cardinals bouncing around different NFL teams for three seasons. Now he teams up with the veteran QB Reilly Hennessey as the Surge hope to make a push at the championship game.    WR Brendan Beaulieu - Nordic Storm The Nordic Storm are already stacked with talent as they have MVP QB Jadrian Clark and MVP running back Glen Toonga on thier offense. One new face to the league that might suprise fans on the Storm in American Brendan Beaulieu. What he lacks in NFL experience Beaulieu makes up for in production in Europe as he put up a eye popping 1,647 receiving yards and 27 touchdowns in just 15 games in the German Football League last season. Get Your Ticket to the 2025 ELF Championship game!

One of the headlines of the ELF off-season was the Paris Musketeers signing Jack Del Rio as their next head coach. The story made waves across the football world as the ELF and the Musketeers were able to convince the former superbowl winning coach to come to France. “Yeah, Jack Del Rio is obviously a household name in the NFL. He's been a coordinator, been a head coach in the NFL. To me, it speaks volumes about the quality of the league and it's a testament to what the franchises have done in order to convince somebody of his magnitude to come over and be the head coach.” -Commissioner Patrick Esume   Jack Del Rio & Jim Tomsula ELF fans know Del Rio isn’t the only former NFL head coach in the league as Jim Tomsula has led the Rhein Fire to back to back titles in his three years in Düsseldorf. Now the former San Francisco 49ers coach leads the Fire into 2025 without MVP quarterback and running back Jadrian Clark and Glen Toonga, giving the Fire and Tomsula new challenge: “It’s consistency again that keeps you still up there. And the consistency is Jim Tomula and his coaching staff, right? Richard Kent, tremendous coach. So, I think that these two gentlemen, they're going to put a very good football team on the field that's well coached. They might not be as strong as the two years before, but they're going to be up there again.” Along with Del Rio and Tomsula, the ELF has several coaches with NFL experience including new head coach of the Frankfurt Galaxy Bart Andrus, who spent 5 seasons as an assistant coach in the NFL, as well as coaching in the CFL and USFL.  Other coaches in the ELF this season with NFL experience include: Berlin Thunder: OL coach Art Valero Nordic Storm: Head coach John Schoop & defensive coordinator Brandon Noble  Prague Lions:  DB coach Darqueze Dennard  Madrid Bravos: Head coach Andrew Weidinger, defensive coordinator Jim Collins Fehervar Enthroners: Head coach Mark Ridgley Raiders Tirol: Head coach Jim Herrmann, offensive coordinator Charlie Eger, and RBs coach Terry Malone  Hamburg Sea Devils: Defensive coordinator Ray Woodard Helvetic Mercenaries: DL coach Nordly ‘Cap’ Capi  Vienna Vikings: Analyst Norm Chow and kicking coach Giorgio Tavecchio

In April, we are revealing the Top 100 graded players of the 2024 European League of Football season, based on SportsMetrics' advanced evaluation system. These rankings are based only on on-field performance — including consistency, impact, and position-specific stats. Today, we take a look at the players ranked from #20 to #11. #20 Daniel Bartmann  Although it was a tough season for the Frankfurt Galaxy, defensive lineman Daniel Bartmann still had a great individual year. The German defender stood out with 42 tackles, 5 sacks, 11.5 tackles for loss, and 1 forced fumble, which he also recovered. Leander Wiegand delivered strong performances at the IPP Program. ©IMAGO / ZUMA Press Wire #19 Leander Wiegand  Leander Wiegand is one of the best offensive linemen in Europe. His great performances earned him an invitation to the NFL’s International Player Pathway Program. At the Pro Day, he showed his strength and even outperformed many college stars in the 100kg bench press test. #18 Austin Mitchell  Austin Mitchell had a nearly perfect first season in the ELF. Together with quarterback Zach Edwards, he formed a dangerous duo. One highlight was his game in Week 2 against the Hamburg Sea Devils, where he had 152 receiving yards and scored 4 touchdowns. #17 D’Wayne Obi  British running back D’Wayne Obi impressed in his first ELF season. He helped the Bravos reach the playoffs and finished as the fourth-best running back in rushing yards, with 10 rushing touchdowns. #16 Jonathan Falk In his final ELF season, Jonathan Falk showed once again how good he is. He was named Homegrown of the Year and made the First Team All-Star list. Despite a tough season for the Mercenaries, Falk finished strong and earned the #16 spot. #15 Markell Castle  The 2023 Offensive Player of the Year continued his strong form in 2024. Castle was second in receiving yards and tied for third in catches. Whether in trick plays, big gains, or short screens, Castle was always a key playmaker. Aleksandar Milanovic is no longer part of the Vienna Vikings. ©Hannes Jirgal #14 Aleksandar Milanovic    One of the best European offensive tackles, Aleksandar Milanovic, ended his career after the 2024 season. He helped lead the Vikings to the Championship Game and was awarded "Man of Honor of the Year" for his leadership on and off the field.  #13 Reece Horn  Reece Horn joined the Vikings during the season but quickly became one of the top receivers in the league. He finished third in receiving yards and catches. The Vikings worked hard to keep him for 2025, and with QB Ben Holmes, he’s expected to score many touchdowns. #12 Johannes Zirngibl  Johannes Zirngibl had a strong season with the Munich Ravens. He helped lead a tough defense that created the sixth-most turnovers in the league. His performance was a big reason for the team’s defensive success. #11 Zach Edwards  Although Zach Edwards has decided to take a break from football, his 2024 performance was outstanding. He was named Offensive Player of the Year with the second-most passing yards, third-most passing touchdowns, and was also one of the top rushers in the league. Edwards truly delivered in every way. Stay tuned as we continue to count down the Top 100 players of the 2024 ELF season — with more stars, stats, and stories to come!Don't miss a single game - Get your Game Pass now!

In April, we are revealing the Top 100 graded players of the 2024 European League of Football season, based on SportsMetrics' advanced evaluation system. These rankings focus only on performance on the field — including consistency, impact, and position-specific stats. Today, we take a look at the players ranked from #30 to #21. #30 Tobias Bonatti Austrian running back Tobias Bonatti had another great season for the Raiders Tirol, even though an injury stopped him from playing the full year. In limited games, he still rushed for 750 yards and scored 13 touchdowns — earning his spot in the Top 100. Sven Breidenbach is one of the best offensive tackles in the league. ©Frederick Loewer  #29 Sven Breidenbach Sven Breidenbach is one of the key players behind Rhein Fire’s success. His strong performance on the offensive line helped the team win back-to-back ELF Championships. Breidenbach is respected across the European football scene. #28 Adrià Botella Moreno Tight end Adrià Botella Moreno is considered one of the best to ever play in the ELF. In 2024, he once again showed his talent with the Wroclaw Panthers. Even though the team had a mixed season, Moreno’s personal performance stood out. #27 Aleksandar Borkovic Serbian defensive back Aleksandar Borkovic impressed with his strong play for the Prague Lions in 2024. Now, with new homegrown rules in place, the Fehérvár Enthroners have added him to their roster as a valuable local talent. Rookie of the Year Milan Spiller is ready to go all out again in 2025. ©Just Shots #26 Milan Spiller Milan Spiller made history in his rookie ELF season by becoming the first European wide receiver to reach over 1,000 receiving yards. The Offensive Rookie of the Year will return to the Helvetic Mercenaries in 2025 as a top target for QB Isaiah Weed. #25 Jadrian Clark Championship Game MVP Jadrian Clark had a quieter season statistically compared to his 2023 MVP year — but he stepped up when it mattered most. His leadership and clutch play helped his team once again. Now, he joins the Nordic Storm as one of the ELF’s top quarterbacks. #24 Dauson Dales Linebacker Dauson Dales finished his career on a high note with the Paris Musketeers. He helped the team reach the semifinals and had a very strong final season before officially retiring from football. #23 Omari Williams Omari Williams has been in the ELF since day one — and now he's a three-time champion. Known for his consistency and ability to make big plays, Williams is tied as the all-time interception leader in the ELF. In 2025, he’ll aim to take the record for himself. Linebacker Zachary Blair played for the Milano Seamen in 2024. ©Marc Junge #22 Zachary Blair A true veteran of the league, Zach Blair played for several teams — including the Surge, Rams, and Centurions. In 2024, he suited up for the Milano Seamen and delivered strong performances, even though injuries shortened his season. #21 Karri Pajarinen Finnish running back Karri Pajarinen had a fantastic 2024 season for the Vienna Vikings. He totaled over 1,300 all-purpose yards and proved to be a dangerous weapon both on the ground and in the passing game — making him one of the top European imports in the league. Stay tuned as we continue to count down the Top 100 players of the 2024 ELF season — with more stars, stats, and stories to come! Don't miss a single game - Get your Game Pass now!

In April, we are revealing the Top 100 graded players of the 2024 European League of Football season, based on SportsMetrics' advanced evaluation system. These rankings focus only on performance on the field — including consistency, impact, and position-specific stats. Today, we look at players ranked from #40 to #31. #40 Noah Touré In his first ELF season, Noah Touré made a strong impression. The young Austrian was named Offensive Rookie of the Year and became an important target for quarterback Ben Holmes. Touré is expected to play a key role again in 2025. #39 Tony Anderson After playing for the Raiders Tirol (2022) and Frankfurt Galaxy (2023), Tony Anderson had a great season with Rhein Fire. His turnovers and big tackles helped the team defend their ELF Championship title. #38 Yasir Raji Yasir Raji was another strong player for Rhein Fire last season. Now, he joins the Madrid Bravos with their new head coach Andrew Weidinger. As a powerful offensive lineman, Raji will be a key piece in both the pass and run game. #37 Sasan Jelvani Sasan Jelvani played an important role in Stuttgart Surge’s success in recent years. He was named to the ELF 2nd Team All-Star list in 2023 and continued to show strong leadership and performance on defense in 2024. #36 Samuel Higgs Samuel Higgs is the only punter in the ELF Top 100. With the Barcelona Dragons' offense struggling at times, Higgs had many chances to show off his powerful leg and consistent punting skills. Justin Rodney will also be hunting for touchdowns for the Munich Ravens in 2025. ©Lina Bollig #35 Justin Rodney  Justin Rodney had a breakout year. The German running back impressed with explosive runs and showed why he’s considered one of the best in the country. His great form made it clear why the Munich Ravens wanted him back. #34 James Brooks Even at 36 years old, James Brooks was one of the top pass rushers in the ELF. After another strong season, he now moves into coaching and will serve as Defensive Coordinator for the Prague Lions in 2025. #33 Pierre-Yves Majo   Pierre-Yves Majo had a fantastic first ELF season, earning the Defensive Rookie of the Year award. After playing with the Helvetic Mercenaries, he now joins the Madrid Bravos for the 2025 season. #32 Carlos Hill Despite playing only nine games for the Cologne Centurions, Carlos Hill put up great numbers — 919 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns. His explosive plays made him one of the top wide receivers of the season. Pablo Araya will once again be an important player for Madrid in 2025. ©Foot Bowl/Just Shots #31 Pablo Araya  Spanish safety Pablo Araya had a strong debut season in the ELF. He quickly became one of the league’s best defensive backs and was even a finalist for the Defensive Rookie of the Year award. Stay tuned as we continue to count down the Top 100 players of the 2024 ELF season — with more stars, stats, and stories to come! Get your tickets for the 2025 Championship Game now!

The European League of Football will soon be entering the new season. Will Rhein Fire make the three-peat? Who are the new stars of the teams? Questions upon questions. The teams have to answer many of them on the pitch, while we answer others in our “ELF Wire” format. Preparations for fith season of league history are in full swing. The teams have been practicing for a few days now and the final deals are being finalized. Over the past weeks and months, the front offices have worked hard to present the best possible roster for the upcoming season.    These are now almost completely finalized. Most of the spots are taken. Only a few announcements are still missing, so stay tuned and follow our channels and those of the teams closely.  The Opening Weekend will then begin on May 17th with the games Wroclaw Panthers vs. Ferhervar Enthroners, Paris Musketeers vs. Rhein Fire and Madrid Bravos vs. Hamburg Sea Devils. You can find a complete overview of all games here. Be ready. Don't miss a single ELF Game - get your Game Pass!

In April, we are revealing the Top 100 graded players of the 2024 European League of Football season, based on the advanced evaluation system by SportsMetrics. These rankings reflect pure on-field performance, with position-specific stats, consistency, and impact across the season. Today, we take a look at players ranked #70 to #61. #70 Darragh Leader  Darragh Leader was a scoring machine for the Raiders Tirol. The Irish kicker was one of the most reliable in the ELF last season. Whether it was a field goal or an extra point, Leader got the job done. His accuracy gave the Raiders a strong boost in close games. For now, it’s still unknown where he’ll play in 2025. Stanley was one of the best receivers last season. ©Roland Johannes #69 Malik Stanley  A well-known name across the league, Malik Stanley showed once again why he's one of the ELF’s top receivers. Despite playing fewer games last season, the American wideout still finished with elite numbers for the Munich Ravens. His ability to make big plays secured him a well-deserved spot in the Top 100. #68 Jakob Sullivan  Jakob Sullivan is a true ELF veteran and a former champion. The American quarterback led the league in passing yards in 2024. While the season didn’t go as planned for Berlin Thunder, Sullivan proved that he remains one of the top QBs in Europe. Joc Crawford plays for the Mercenaries in the 2025 season. ©Eric Ribé #67 Joc Crawford  Even at age 37, Joc Crawford keeps performing at a high level. Last season, he played for the Milano Seamen and brought energy and power to their offense. For 2025, he joins the Helvetic Mercenaries, showing no signs of slowing down. #66 Isaiah Weed  Another exciting addition for the Mercenaries is QB Isaiah Weed. Known for his dual-threat ability, Weed can beat defenses through the air and on the ground. His explosive style made him one of the most exciting quarterbacks to watch last season. #65 Ryan Rimmler  Ryan Rimmler had a tough start to the season, but he improved each week. His biggest moment? A record-breaking 60-yard field goal — the longest in ELF history. That one kick alone made headlines across the league. The Hamburg Sea Devils got top cornerback Roedion Henrique. ©Petra Kutasi #64 Roedion Henrique  Henrique is one of the most consistent defensive backs in the league. Last season with the Enthroners, he made several big plays and proved once again why he’s a top DB. For 2025, he’s headed to the Hamburg Sea Devils to bring experience and leadership to the secondary. #63 Martin Pinter Martin Pinter made a name for himself last season with the Cologne Centurions. His ability to stop the run and pressure the quarterback caught the attention of the Frankfurt Galaxy, who signed him for 2025. Pinter brings toughness and production to an already strong defense. #62 Sandro Platzgummer  The former New York Giants running back showed his elite talent in the ELF. Platzgummer was a key part of the Galaxy’s offense and formed a strong duo with QB Matthew McKay. In 2025, he'll team up with Gerald Ameln to create a dangerous backfield. Marius Kensy wants to win the third title in a row for Rhein Fire. ©Fabio Deinert #61 Marius Kensy Marius Kensy was one of the best linebackers in the league last season. With 94 tackles and 2 sacks, he played a big role in Rhein Fire’s Championship-winning season. He’s back for 2025 and ready to lead the defense again. Stay tuned as we continue to count down the Top 100 players of the 2024 ELF season — with more stars, stats, and stories to come! Get your tickets for the Championship Game in Stuttgart!

The 2025 ELF season is approaching quickly as we have just 5 weeks to go until kickoff. With the excitement of the new season there has been a ton of buzz around the new wave of talent coming into the league bringing with it more NFL experience. HC Jack Del Rio - Paris Musketeers The longtime NFL head coach was easily the biggest splash signing of the off-season. Del Rio was a NFL head coach for 12 seasons winning 93 games and making four playoff appearances. The NFL player turned head coach is best known for spending 9 seasons as the head coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars from 2003 - 2011.    QB Reid Sinnett - Madrid Bravos It is very rare in Europe to have a quarterback who spent a significant amount of time in the NFL. Sinnett spent time with 4 different NFL franchises.  Sinnet shuffled between on the active roster during the regular season and the practice squad for the Cincinnati Bengals, Miami Dolphins, and Philadelphia Eagles. He also was a starter in the XFL and UFL before signing with the Bravos this off-season.  WR Keelan Cole - Helvetic Mercenaries While many ELF players come to the league with experience from NFL minicamp or pre-season, Cole brings a new level to the league. The speedy pass catcher played 7 seasons with the Jacksonville Jaguars, Las Vegas Raiders, and New York Jets, amassing over 3K total yards and 15 touchdowns.  Keelan Cole's playmaking ability and impressive NFL career raised eyebrows around the league as he announced he would be joining the Mercenaries.    DB Channing Stribling - Frankfurt Galaxy Stribling is reunited with head coach Bart Andrus in Frankfurt, the two worked together in the USFL previously as Stribiling was an All-Star for the league’s Philadelphia Stars. Stribling, a former Michigan defensive back,  has a long career bouncing between the NFL, CFL, and other pro spring leagues such as the AAF, USFL, and UFL.  Overall he spent time with 6 NFL teams since 2017 playing in the pre-season and practice squad.  WR Aron Cruickshank -  Madrid Bravos Cruickshank impressed scouts with a solid career at Rutgers and Wisconsin playing both receiver and kick returner. Following the 2024 NFL Draft he was signed by the Chicago Bears. Cruickshank was however released, and then played one preseason game in late august for the Pittsburgh Steelers before being waived.  WR Rory Starkey Jr. - Rhein Fire Starkey is a big body receiver who put up impressive numbers at his Pro Day, including a 4.45 40-yard dash, a 36-inch vertical jump, and a 10 '3 broad jump. He signed with the Green Bay Packers spending the off-season there, before moving on to the UFL in 2024.   WR Terry Wright - Frankfurt Galaxy Wright played for Galaxy head coach in the USFL in 2022, prior to that he spent time on the practice squad with the Pittsburgh Steelers, Miami Dolphins, and Seattle Seahawks. The former Purdue receiver also played in the CFL and UFL most recently.  DB Aaron Maddox - Raiders Tirol Maddox played for the University of Colorado and Campbell University before spending some time with the Indianapolis Colts. Get Your Ticket to the 2025 ELF Championship game!  

In April, we will reveal the Top 100 graded players of the 2024 European League of Football season, according to SportsMetrics. These grades are based on on-field performance, using a detailed system that compares stats across positions and games. Today, we begin with players ranked #90 to #81. Berend Grube is one of the best linemen in the league. ©Jonas Wicker #90: Berend Grube Berend Grube is an ELF veteran who has played in the league since season one. After three strong years with the Hamburg Sea Devils, he joined the Raiders Tirol for 2024 and showed his skills once again. His consistent performance earned him a spot in the Top 100 — and now, he’ll play for the Stuttgart Surge. #89: Patrick Poetsch Patrick Poetsch has also been in the ELF since the beginning. He played for the Cologne Centurions and Rhein Fire, where he helped win two Championships. He may not have flashy stats, but his pass- and run-blocking skills make him one of the most reliable fullbacks in the league. #88: Adam Zouzelka Zouzelka was one of the bright spots for the Prague Lions in a tough season. In his second ELF year, he proved to be a consistent and hard-working player. With a stronger roster around him in 2025, he could help push the Lions to new heights. Always ready for his quarterback: Marvin Rutsch. ©Roland Johannes #87: Marvin Rutsch Rutsch is the ELF all-time receptions leader and a key target for any quarterback. In 2024, he had 55 catches for 645 yards and 7 touchdowns. His reliable hands and sharp route-running once again made him one of the top receivers in the league. #86: Alessandro Vergani Vergani was a standout offensive lineman in 2024, showing strong pass- and run-blocking skills. He made the 2nd All-Star Team and will return to Stuttgart in 2025, much to the joy of quarterback Reilly Hennessey. Lennart Weitz is one of the most talented linebackers in the league. ©Marc Junge #85: Lennart Weitz Weitz was part of Rhein Fire’s championship-winning team and showed why he’s a top linebacker. His defensive impact was big — and the team made sure to keep him with a contract extension for the upcoming season. #84: Anthony Brown Brown made a big impact with exciting plays alongside QB Carlton Aiken Jr. Injuries slowed down both players, but Brown still performed well enough to earn his place among the league's top 100.Madrid Bravos quarterback from last season: Steven Duncan. ©Just Shots #83: Steven Duncan Duncan had a tough season. He started with the Wrocław Panthers but was released early. Later, the Madrid Bravos signed him to replace injured QB Chris Helbig. In Madrid, he proved his talent and earned his spot in the Top 100. #82: Marvin Wappl  Wappl played for one of the most dominant defensive lines in the league with the Vienna Vikings. His strong performance helped stop many offensive plays, and he rightfully belongs in the Top 100. #81: Daniel Schumacher  Schumacher had a mixed year—not because of his own performance, but because of his team’s inconsistency. The Cologne Centurions ended the season 6-6, but Schumacher still punted 55 times for 1,729 yards, showing his strong and consistent leg. Stay tuned as we continue counting down the Top 100 ELF Players of 2024 — coming tomorrow: spots 80 to 71! Get your tickets for the Championship Game in Stuttgart!

In the coming month of April, we will be releasing the top 100 graded players of the 2024 season according to sportsmetrics. The grades reflect the individual's performance on the field. Grading System for Players and Teams SportsMetrics Grades evaluate both individual players and teams based on their performance in a single game as well as the entire season. The grades are designed to provide an accurate and comprehensive assessment of a player’s performance in different categories such as passing, rushing, receiving, defense, and kicking. Each category is further divided into player positions, such that each player’s performance is evaluated against other players in the same position. The grades are designed to be scalable for different player positions, meaning that a linebacker’s performance is compared to other linebackers in each category. Weighted Metrics Each category in the SportsMetrics grading system sets different weights on statistical in-game metrics. These metrics are then weighted based on their importance to the category to provide an accurate evaluation of a player’s performance. This ensures that the grading system is fair and objective, and the players’ performance is evaluated based on the metrics that matter the most in each category. Comparison and Scaling To compare and scale the teams’ and players’ performance, SportsMetrics Grades use a specially fitted sigmoid function. This function ensures that the grades are scaled appropriately, and the players’ performance is evaluated accurately based on the metrics in each category. The stats are compared with the overall distribution of league performance in each category and then weighted by the category weights. Limitations While SportsMetrics Grades provides an accurate and unbiased evaluation of the players and teams, it has some limitations. Currently, it is technically not possible to rate offensive line players accurately. Thus, those players were rated by expert opinions. Additionally, the ratings for defensive backs should be read cautiously, as the best defensive backs may not have the best numbers since quarterbacks try to avoid throwing in their direction. Don't miss a single ELF Game - Get your Game Pass Players Overview ELF x Sports Metrics Top 100 Graded Players - #100-#91 ELF x Sports Metrics Top 100 Graded Players - #90-#81 ELF x Sports Metrics Top 100 Graded Players - #80-#71 ELF x Sports Metrics Top 100 Graded Players - #70-#61 ELF x Sports Metrics Top 100 Graded Players - #60-#51  

With our new article series on our website, we want to introduce all of the sixteen European League of Football franchises for the 2025 season and what they are made of. We take a look at the top stars every fan needs to know. Today we explore the Helvetic Mercenaries, who are coming off a difficult 2024 season. In the ELF, the Helvetic Mercenaries took the place of the Swiss team Helvetic Guards. They finished their debut season with a record of 1:11. This resulted in last place in the Central Conference. The front office has made significant investments to ensure that this does not happen again next season. Dual-Threat danger Isaiah Weed Isaiah Weed has already shown that he can be a good quarterback with the Cologne Centurions. Weed is a so-called "dual-threat quarterback". This means he can not only throw, but is also strong on his feet.  This makes him more difficult for the opposing defense to predict. If you take the pass away from Weed, he can still get yards with the running game. If the O-line manages to give their new signal caller enough time, he can hurt the opposing defense. Top receivers should also support him - and the Mercenaries now have them. New QB1 in the house: Isaiah Weed ©Kevin Reuss. NFL-Veteran Keelan Cole signs with Mercenaries It was one of the top moves this offseason. NFL veteran Keelan Cole moved to the European League of Football. The 31-year-old wide receiver played six years in the NFL for the Jacksonville Jaguars, New York Jets and Las Vegas Raiders.  Accordingly, he trained at the top level for years. He played a total of 93 games in which he caught 2832 yards and 14 touchdowns. Cole can become a real weapon for the Mercenaries. One that was missing last season, when the Mercenaries had to put almost all of their offensive power on the shoulders of a rookie receiver. Cole may be a game changer.  NFL-Veteran Keelan Cole ©IMAGO. Homegrown Top-Receiver Milan Spiller Milan Spiller has not been in the European League of Football for very long. But the 20-year-old was able, to make a name for himself in just one season. The wideout delivered, catching 63 passes for 1008 yards and five touchdowns. Breaking the 1,000-yard mark in his rookie season is impressive. At the end of the season, the young Swiss was honored accordingly.  Spiller player was named 2024 ELF Rookie of the Year. To the joy of the fans, he extended his contract this offseason. He will therefore remain with the Mercenaries, who are likely to have even greater expectations of him in the upcoming season. Together with Keenan Cole, he can help the receiver room to great strength. 2024 ELF ROTY: Milan Spiller ©Noa Monn. Aleksi Närhi: Finish powerhouse for the O-Line To protect their quarterback sufficiently, the Mercenaries have added a finish powerhouse to their O-line. Aleksi Närhi signed with the team from Switzerland. The 23-year-old has already spent a lot of time in the Finnish Maple League. He became champion with the Helsinki Roosters in 2024. Närhi impresses above all with his strength and good handwork. New O-Lineman: Aleksi Närhi ©privat/Aleksi Närhi. New defensive cornerstone De'Marco Artis? The defensive line has also been strengthened. A-import De'Marco Artis is another powerhouse coming to Switzerland. After spending the previous two seasons in Finland, the experienced international professional makes his first appearance in the ELF. Playing for the Wasa Royals, the D-Liner had an incredible 2023 season, setting the league record with 12 sacks, 44 tackles, and 17 tackles for a loss. In addition to international experience, he also has some from US college. The 25-year-old started at Division one college Baylor. He later transferred to West Florida University. Artis could become a real cornerstone of the Mercenaries defense. Defensive End De'Marco Artis ©SAJL. Versatile veteran Jocques Crawford A true veteran is now in charge of the secondary: Jocques Crawford. The 37-year-old safety has already seen many years of football. Despite his age, Crawford can still deliver top performances. He has already proven this with the Berlin Thunder and the Milano Seamen. In 2022, Crawford was selected for the ELF All-Star Team. The veteran is versatile and can play both safety and running back. Before his time in the ELF, he played at several US colleges, in Finland, Brazil and Italy.   Can play on offense and defense: Jocques Crawford ©Eric Ribé. Don't miss a single ELF Game - Get your Game Pass! ELF-known Head Coach Marcus Herford In the position of head coach, the front office is relying on a 39-year-old coach who already knows the league. Marcus Herford took over the position at the start of the offseason.  In 2021, the US-Coach worked on the coaching staff of the Berlin Thunder. He then made a name for himself in the German Football League. As head coach of the Hildesheim Invaders, he was partly responsible for his team's long playoff run, which even went as far as the semi-finals. Herford's stands for an energetic coaching style. Supporters can anticipate a dynamic squad that prioritizes growth and competition. He will be supported by several former NFL professionals as assistant coaches. These include Chris Scelfo (OL), Joshua Fitzgerald (WR) and Sascha Gaveau (RB) New Mercenaries Head Coach: Marcus Herford ©City Press. Season objectives - Mercenaries have nothing to lose However, whether the Helvetic Mercenaries can actually be a contender next season depends above all on if the key players work and if the team spirit can carry them to the end. The potential is definitely there thanks to a strong offseason. But with star players, expectations also grow. Either way, the declared goal is likely to be a different one for now: To achieve more victories than in the previous year. Accordingly, the Helvetic Mercenaries have nothing to lose, despite the increased expectations.   Get your Tickets for the 2025 Championship Game!

During the offseason, the teams of the European League of Football aren't taking any days off. This week several teams made major signings for the 2025 season. See the recap below: Mercenaries add intriguing young talent The Swiss squad added two new players this week with young defensive end and Penn State commit RJ Sagna and Finnish national team offensive lineman. A young homegrown defensive end with elite traits and another import offensive lineman could be two big pieces for the Mercenaries in 2025.  Raiders Tirol add NFL experience Former Indianapolis Colt Aaron Maddox will head to Innsbruck this summer. The former Colorado and Campbell University safety spent the 2023 pre-season with the Colts in 2023, and is now making his debut in Europe. He was of course NFL teammates for a brief time with former ELF player and current Colt Marcel Dabo.  Cologne Centurions add American linebacker & more The Centurions have their first defensive import in Alex Alteus. The rookie linebacker comes to Europe for the first time after a stellar career at Stetson and Eastern Illinois University. Joining Alteus will joined be homegrown running back Umar Ayuba Tairou and Dutch cornerback Richard Agyekum who has several seasons of college football experience at Minnesota State and North Dakota.       Rhein Fire add Columbian E-Import & young homegrowns Defensive end Stewar Mosquera will join the back-to-back champs after 3 seasons of playing in Mexico’s college football scene, as well as pro football in Brazil. Homegrown talents also join the squad in wide receiver Onoura Joseman and ex-youth national team offensive lineman Lukas Jakobi. Jakobi comes to the Rhein Fire after playing for the Düsselldorf Panthers the past few seasons.  Madrid adds ex-D1 and NFL coach Jim Collins as DC Jim Collins joins Andrew Weidingers staff in Madrid and brings with him over 40 years of coaching experience at several D1 colleges including Duke and Florida, as well as two years as an assistant with the Washington Redskins.    Enthroners add size to the DL Fehervar continues to rebuild its roster in preparation for 2025, this time adding another defensive lineman in british talent Akram Adam. The 22-year old joins Americans defensive end Emmit Gooden and Malik Crenshaw on the Enthroners defensive line.  Vienna Vikings bring back homegrown WR The Vienna Vikings bring back Daniel-Elias Schwam, who spent the past two years playing junior college football in California. After two productive years of college football the young Austrian returns to the club he grew up playing for in Vienna. Schwam looks to compliment a talented group of receivers centered around All-Stars Reece Horn and Noah Touré. Get Your Ticket to the 2025 ELF Championship!  

The Helvetic Mercenaries have strengthened their offensive line with another E-import. Sampo Leppänen signed a contract with the team from Switzerland. The 20-year-old Finn played for the Helsinki Rooosters and Vantaan TAFT in his youth, before gaining experience in Finland's top league with the Seinäjoki Crocodiles. In 2024, he joined the Hildesheim Invaders to play in the German Football League.  Leppännen, who is known for his great hand and arm technique, has also played for the Finnish youth national team. He has now even made his debut for the men's national team. Will the O-Line deliver Mercenaries success? Leppänen could become an important component of the Mercenaries' offensive line. This offseason, the Swiss team has already strengthened its roster with big-name players such as former NFL veteran Keenan Cole and quarterback Isaiah Weed. Wide receiver Milan Spiller, the current ELF Rookie of the Year, also signed a new contract.  If the offensive line can buy their QB enough time, the Mercenaries' playmakers can hurt their opponents.  Don't miss a single ELF Game - Get your Game Pass!

The European League of Football finished its fourth season. It is now time to figure out what teams will move in the right direction for the fifth season in 2025! Will it be teams with previous losing records emerging as contenders? Will Rhein Fire stay dominant? Who are the best players coming into the season? When are you able to draft your lineups for Fantasy Football? Those are questions that you may ask yourself and we are here to give you the best possible answer! If you have a question and want it to be answered in a future article, please look out on the league’s social channels every Monday. iamcadeyoung: How do you get recruited? There are a lot of different ways to get recruited by a team of the European League of Football. The easiest and most common way for homegrown European players is to play for a regional football team and then perform at try-outs. However, if you are already a proven player or even compete(d) in the United States collegiate system, teams can also review your film. If you want to reach out to a team, feel free to contact them via their respective team websites.  b1ak3varg__: Just getting into the ELF and still can’t decide on a team! What is an underdog team like Buffalo?  Thank you for your question. The European League of Football will kick off its fifth season with 16 teams in 2025. There are a lot of great storylines coming into this year because of multiple moving parts. However, if you are looking for a team that was close to reaching the playoffs or lost in the wild card round over the last years, it is the Madrid Bravos.  In their first ELF season, the Madrid Bravos came up swinging. By doing the unthinkable as a new franchise, the Spanish team even made it to the playoffs but lost the 2024 ELF Champions Rhein Fire 40-10 in the Wild Card Round. But they have hired Rhein Fire’s offensive coordinator Andrew Weidinger as their new head coach. Alongside other great hires, the Spanish franchise made some blockbuster moves and signed impact players from different teams all over the European continent.  So, if you want to jump their a bandwagon before the Madrid Bravos take off, now is your time to join the party!  j.ravelo__: When do rosters usually get finalized by?  Thank you for your question! The roster of a team in the European League of Football gets finalized close to the start of the season. This year, the ELF kicks off on the 17th May. So, you can expect your favorite team to have a finalized roster a few weeks prior. However, keep in mind that rosters in American football contain a large number of players which is why there will always be some fluctuation, e.g. player signings, cuts or even injuries. © European League of Football