Rhein Fire

The season kicks off in only 16 days, as teams are excited to hit the game field for the first time since last year. Let's take a look at some of the top moves teams made last month to prepare for week one.   Rhein Fire get WR with NFL experience Rhein Fire has completed its American player roster with the signing of wide receiver Rory Starkey. He joins quarterback Chad Jeffries and defensive backs Omari Williams and Darius Nash as the fourth American on the team. Starkey will add even more talent to an already strong wide receiver group.   After his time in college, he had opportunities with the Green Bay Packers and the Houston Roughnecks of the UFL.  Madrid Bravos add DROY The Madrid Bravos have made a strong addition to their defensive line by signing Pierre-Yves Majo. The 24-year-old defensive lineman played his first season in the European League of Football in 2024 and immediately made an impact.   Majo played 12 games for the Helvetic Mercenaries last season, recording 39 tackles, 7 sacks, and 16 tackles for loss. His outstanding performance earned him the title of Defensive Rookie of the Year.   Paris Musketeers sign All-American DT The Paris Musketeers have signed defensive tackle Lamonte McDougle. The American joins former NFL head coach Jack Del Rio in the French capital as the first American import on defense for the French squad.  McDougle played for West Virginia, UTEP, and Washington State during his college career, building a reputation as a disruptive nose tackle.  Enthroners make an import switch The European League of Football season hasn’t started yet, but the Fehérvár Enthroners have already made changes to their roster. They have signed American defensive lineman Michael Badejo, who will replace Emmit Gooden. Badejo brings with him D1 experience from SMU and was a standout last season in the German Football League.  Surge bring back star safety In a move that will excite Stuttgart Surge fans across the league, defensive back Raheem Simiram-Wilson is returning for the 2025 season. After a breakout campaign in 2024, the 31-year-old veteran has re-signed with the team and is set to remain a central piece in head coach Jordan Neuman’s defensive puzzle. The former CFL starter had 6 interceptions last season in only ten games, making an enormous impact on the Stuttgart Surge defense.  Munich Ravens load up on defense The Munich Ravens will bring back defenders Wael Nasri, Etuale Lui, and Christoph Nitzlnander. As the Bavarian squad hopes to make another playoff run this year.  One new face for the Ravens will be safety Cole Coleman. Cole knows the ELF, playing for the Vienna Vikings last season. Prior to coming to Europe the former Elon DB spent time in the NFL and CFL.  Get Your Tickets to the 2025 ELF Championship Game!  

Great honor for the current champion of the European League of Football: As part of the NFL Draft 2025, the Rhein Fire players QB Chad Jeffries and DB Omari Williams were able to announce a player selection (draft pick) live for the NFL partner club Seattle Seahawks. From the Rheinterrassen Düsseldorf, some players and fans went live on US television to present the selection of DT Rylie Mills / Notre Dame to the worldwide football fans in front of the TVs in the 5th round.           Sieh dir diesen Beitrag auf Instagram an                       Ein Beitrag geteilt von Seattle Seahawks (@seahawks) "We are very proud that the Seahawks have asked us to announce their draft pick" "An incredible effort, considering that the broadcast only lasts just under 30 seconds,” says Rhein-Fire General Manager Max Paatz, summarizing the extraordinary operation. As part of the international marketing strategy, draft picks have been regularly announced on US television via live broadcasts from around the world for several years now.  It was a special honor for Rhein Fire Owner Martin Wagner: "Rhein Fire has been working closely with the Seattle Seahawks from the National Football League since last year. We are very proud that the Seahawks have asked us to announce their draft pick tonight live on US television and World Stream. Around 15 million viewers watched us in the USA alone." Rhein Fire announced further activities together with the NFL team for the upcoming season in the European League of Football. This includes the first home game on June 1 against the Vienna Vikings, which will take place in the Merkur Spiel-Arena in Düsseldorf. 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 SportsMetrics’ advanced evaluation system. These rankings are based only on on-field performance — including consistency, impact, and position-specific stats. Today, we highlight the player ranked #1. Who is on top of the league? #1 Glen Toonga What a season for running back Glen Toonga. The 30-year-old had an outstanding 2024 season with 1,576 rushing yards and 30 rushing touchdowns. He was by far the best in both categories and set a new record for rushing touchdowns in a single season and earned the #1 spot in this year’s Top 100. It was therefore no huge surprise that the Brit was named ELF MVP 2024. New chapter with Nordic Storm With his strong performances, Toonga also played a major part in Rhein Fire winning their second ELF Championship Game in a row. In the offseason, Toonga then caused a stir with a shocking transfer. He will play for the newly founded Nordic Storm team next season. Can the experienced running back also be extremely productive here? Don't miss a single ELF Game - get your Game Pass

    Following day 3 of the NFL Draft the New York Jets signed former ELF player Leander Wiegand as an undrafted free agent. The former ELF champion and All-Star now takes his talents from Germany to the big stage in the NFL. Wiegand joined the NFL's International Player Pathway Program this year along with fellow ELF players, Maceo Beard, Lenny Krieg, and Bastian Roppelt. Wiegand impressed scouts on his pro day with a eyebrow raising performance. Wiegand had 38 reps on the bench press test, 5 more than any other player at the NFL combine this year.  Wiegand is now the second ELF player this off-season to be signed by the NFL as former Stuttgart Surge kicker Lenny Krieg  signed with the Atlanta Falcons earlier this spring.  The talented German lineman played one season at University of Central Florida (NCAA D1) before returning to Germany in 2022 playing for the Cologne Centurions that season. The following season Wiegand was a key part of the Rhein Fire's championship offensive line earning 1st team All ELF Honors. 2024, marked another move as Wiegand joined the Munich Ravens, where he was coached by NFL Hall of famer Joe Thomas.  The 25-year old, 196 cm and 137 kg lineman now makes a huge jump from the ELF to the NFL with the New York Jets. Get Your Tickets to the ELF Championship!  

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

New Rhein Fire quarterback Chad Jeffries sat down with "ELF Live" host Nick Alfieri at the FIBO to talk about his move from the Munich Ravens to the defending champions. Jeffries, a veteran quarterback from California first came to Europe in 2017, playing in the German Football League and eventually the Austrian league where he spent five seasons as the quarterback of the Danube Dragons.  Munich Ravens first ever QB In 2023, he made the jump from the Austrian Football League to the ELF leading the Munich Ravens as their first ever quarterback for two seasons. The savvy vet put up impressive numbers and earned All Star and MVP nominee honors in those two seasons. Jeffries threw for 6,423 yards and 65 touchdowns, and added another 700 yards and 12 scores on the ground as a true dual threat. After two successful seasons in Munich, all signs pointed to a return. "So after that playoff game I was definitely set for going back to Munich, building off of that playoff run." Move to Rhein Fire However, after following the 2024 season Jeffries had a change of heart, signing with the Rhein Fire. Former NFL head coach Jim Tomsula and a championship atmosphere were two key factors in the decision. "The Rhein Fire came at me pretty strong and it was fun. They showed me a lot of love. Coach Tomsula is doing a great job behind the scenes. The big thing was my family. Rhein Fire showed me that they can take care of me on and off the field." A new era in Düsseldorf Jeffries takes over for 2024 MVP and 2025 Championship Game MVP Jadrian Clark who moved from the Rhein Fire to the Nordic Storm this off-season after leading the Fire to back to back titles. The Fire of course, also lost their star running back and 2024 MVP Glen Toonga to the Storm as well. The 2025 season will mean that many new faces will look to fill the shoes of two of the ELF's greatest players yet. The 32-year old Jeffries knows that he is ushering in a new era for the Fire with his arrival. "What we can do in the future, really motivates me. I'm coming in the best shape possible." Jeffries and the Rhein Fire will kick-off their season May 17th in Paris as they take on the Musketeers in a highly anticipated week one match up. Get your tickets for the 2025 ELF Championship Game!  

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 highlight the player ranked #9. #9 Chad Jeffries Even though Rhein Fire won their second championship in a row, there were big changes in the offseason. Key players like Glen Toonga and Jadrian Clark left the team and joined the new franchise Nordic Storm. That meant Rhein Fire had to make big decisions — especially at the quarterback position. A new star QB for Rhein Fire Their choice: Chad Jeffries, one of the best QBs in the ELF over the last two seasons. Jeffries played for the Munich Ravens in 2023 and had an amazing year. He was a nominee for both Offensive Player of the Year and MVP. In 2024, Jeffries threw for 2,888 yards and 35 touchdowns. But he didn’t just impress with his passing. He also ran the ball 83 times for 337 rushing yards and 10 rushing touchdowns. His ability to pass and run makes him a true dual-threat quarterback. With Jeffries, Rhein Fire added not just a great passer — but also a dynamic playmaker who brings a new level to their offense. Because of his strong and consistent performance, Chad Jeffries is well-deserved at #9 in the ELF Top 100. 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 #60 to #51. #60 Devin Taylor The US cornerback did not make it easy for opposing receivers last season. The 27-year-old recorded twelve pass deflections and two interceptions for the Raiders Tirol. His strong athleticism also allows him to be repeatedly integrated into the pass rush during blitz plays. #59 Hugo Tekedam Tekedam is extremely flexible. The 23-year-old Frenchman can play both quarterback and wide receiver. Last season, he performed impressively as a wideout for the Paris Musketeers. Tekedam caught 48 passes for 761 yards and four touchdowns, making him the team's second-best receiver behind Austin Mitchell. Consequently, the Musketeers extended his contract. ©Werner Thorenz. #58 Kelvin McKnight Jr. What does a team need to win a championship game? That's right, also a good receiver, and one of those is former NFL-Wideout Kelvin McKnight Jr.. His almost 700 receiving yards and six touchdowns from the regular season were joined by another 200 yards and a touchdown in Rhein Fire's extremely successful playoff run. ©Hannes Jirgal 57 Ben Holmes Rhein Fire defeated the Vienna Vikings in the championship game. But the fact that the Austrians were there at all is also thanks to quarterback Ben Holmes. The US import knew how to impress. The management was also impressed, so they extended Holmes contract this offseason. ©Hannes Jirgal #56 Kevin Kaya Even if the season didn't quite go as expected for Frankfurt Galaxy, wide receiver Kevin Kaya was able to impress. The 30-year-old caught 50 passes for 768 yards and six touchdowns. Kaya also signed a new contract. ©Kevin Reuss #55 Lucas Harting Candido Last season, the young and agile running back made his breakthrough with the Hamburg Sea Devils. Time and again, the 22-year-old found gaps in the opposing defense and was able to contribute four touchdowns. He was also repeatedly integrated into the Sea Devils' passing game. #54 Stanley Zeregbe The 28-year-old Frenchman was a difference-maker in the Paris Musketeers' defensive line last season. Zeregbe started every game and recorded 37 tackles, including 10.5 for loss and eight sacks, by far the most on his team. The Musketeers can also count on Zeregbe's services next season - he signed a new contract. ©Maxime Le Pihif 53 Robert Werner Last season, Werner scored 91 points for the Munich Ravens. That's right, 91! Making the 36-year-old German the second-highest scorer of all kickers in the league. Only Lenny Krieg from Stuttgart Surge scored more, and he is now under contract in the NFL. 52 Gerald Ameln Five games and a touchdown in each one: running back Ameln seemed to be a part of an otherwise rather unlucky team. The 23-year-old from the Cologne Centurions caught another touchdown through the air. The Homegrown still has potential and will prove it next season at Frankfurt Galaxy, where he signed this offseason. 51 Louis Geyer The wide receiver has been a true great in the ELF for years. At Stuttgart Surge, he became a cruicial red zone talent who achieved great things last season. Geyer not only caught 13 touchdowns, but also became the all-time receiving leader in the European League of Football, as well as making two appearances on the 2023 and 2024 All-Star teams. As a reward, he was invited to the Canadian Football League Combine. ©Svenja Sabatini 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!

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!

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 #80 to #71. #80 Hugo Dyrendahl What a rookie year for the 26-year-old. The linebacker was able to establish himself right away with Frankfurt Galaxy, starting all twelve games and recording 135 tackles. He even made it to the All-Star team. Despite his big role, Dyrendahl had to answer the call of home. The Swedish native will play for Nordic Storm next season. #79 Juan Flores-Calderon In a rather disappointing Milano Seamen team, Flores-Calderon was a real bright spot. The 21-year-old wide receiver collected 732 receiving yards and eight touchdowns. The 2023 Offensive Rookie of the Year will also be seen in the ELF next season. But then with the Madrid Bravos. ©Sergio Bisi. #78 Ken Hike Jr. The free safety joined the Vienna Vikings late after spending some time in Switzerland, but still had a direct impact. Especially in terms of turnovers. In five games, he made two interceptions, forced a fumble and recovered three more. He also had eleven pass deflections. Next season, Hike Jr. will prove this talent with the Prague Lions. ©Alexandre Bertrand. #77 Krzystof Wis The middle linebacker is one of the cornerstones of the Wroclaw Panthers' defense. Together with superstar A.J. Wentland, Wis makes life difficult for opposing running backs. The 37-year-old veteran recorded 78 tackles, including ten for loss and 6.5 sacks last season.  #76 Jakub Smutný Defensive tackle Jakub Smutný also likes to bring running backs to the ground. The 28-year-old Czech had his breakthrough last season and more than doubled his number of tackles. The Prague Lions rewarded this with a contract extension. ©Jakub Platenik #75 Nicolas Khandar After a rookie season with only four games as a backup, the running back celebrated his breakthrough last season. The 31-year-old recorded 686 rushing yards and four touchdowns. After two years with Stuttgart Surge, the Frenchman returns to his home country and joins the Paris Musketeers. 74 Flamur Simon What a year for Flamur Simon. The linebacker established himself at Rhein Fire, became a starter, put in outstanding performances and played a big part in Rhein Fire celebrating their second ELF Championship title in a row. So it's no wonder that the German extended his contract this offseason. ©Lina Bollig #73 Raul Cernuda Pastor Raul Cernuda Pastor showed potential with the Barcelona Dragons in 2023 and performed well with the Madrid Bravos in 2024. The homegrown tight end established himself as a starter and contributed five touchdowns. The 28-years-old even made it to our Homegrown Team of the Year. 72 Luke Glenna The US import was an important cornerstone of a strong Madrid Bravos defense. As a result, the safety was selected to the All-Star team — just like the year before for the Barcelona Dragons. Now the 25-year-old is ready for a new adventure and joins Nordic Storm. ©Maxime Le Pihif #71 Nicolai Schumann The Berlin Thunder homegrown is one of the best tight ends in the league. The 33-year-old veteran has already been voted onto the ELF All-Star Team twice. Don't miss a single ELF Game — get your Game Pass!

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!  

With our new article series, we introduce all 16 teams of the European League of Football for the 2025 season. Today, we take a closer look at Rhein Fire, the reigning back-to-back champions, as they prepare to defend their title and aim for an unprecedented third consecutive championship.​ A new leader under center Rhein Fire has seen significant changes in their roster this offseason, particularly at the quarterback position. With the departure of Jadrian Clark, the team has brought in a new American quarterback to lead the offense. Former Munich Ravens quarterback Chad Jeffries will take over the quarterback duties for the reiging champions in 2025. Over the past two seasons, the experienced veteran ranked amongst the top quarterbacks in the ELF. But will he be ready to fill the shoes of ELF passing leader and former MVP Jadrian Clark? Adding to the wide receiver room, Rhein Fire signed former University of Pennsylvania receiver Rory Starkey jr. At 189 cm, the former IVY league standout is a physical pass catcher who hopes to become a go-to guy for quarterback Chad Jeffries. Homegrown Talent - Harlan Kwofie commits long-term In a historic move, wide receiver Harlan Kwofie has signed a five-year contract extension with Rhein Fire over the offseason, marking the longest player commitment in ELF history. The 25-year-old German has been a pivotal part of the team's success since joining in 2022. Despite injuries in the previous season, Kwofie's contributions, including multiple playoff touchdowns, have solidified his role as a key offensive weapon. Kwofie ranks amongst the top homegrown wide receivers in the ELF and will showcase his abilities once again in the upcoming season.  Alongside Kwofie, Rhein Fire was able to resign former Massachusetts defensive tackle Hugo Klages for the upcoming season. Klages were pivotal for the team’s success in the regular and post season back in 2024. Now, they are primed to lead Rhein Fire to their third straight championship run over the past three seasons.  European imports - Former Vikings WR Jordan Bouah joins champions  To compensate for the loss of key players like MVP Glen Toonga and wide receivers Anthony Mahoungou and Nathaniel Robitaille, Rhein Fire has strategically added European talent to their lineup. A notable signing to highlight is Italian wide receiver Jordan Bouah. Bouah was a standout wide receiver for the Vienna Vikings over the past three seasons. Now, the twitchy wide receiver and deep threat is joining Rhein Fire on their mission to “three-peat”! Coaching continuity with former 49ers head coach Jim Tomsula Head Coach Jim Tomsula, renowned for his NFL experience, including a tenure with the San Francisco 49ers, continues to lead Rhein Fire. Under his guidance, the team has achieved remarkable success, securing two consecutive ELF championships. Tomsula's emphasis on resilience and adaptability has been instrumental in shaping Rhein Fire's competitive edge.  However, the Fire lost their offensive coordinator Andrew Weidinger who took over head coaching duties for the Madrid Bravos in Spain. Will the Fire be ready to compensate his loss offensively?  Can Rhein Fire achieve the three-peat? As Rhein Fire embarks on the 2025 season, the challenge of defending their title looms large. With a roster featuring both seasoned veterans and promising new talent, the team is poised to make a strong bid for a third consecutive championship. However, the evolving dynamics of the league and strengthened competition mean that Rhein Fire must remain vigilant and cohesive to maintain their dominance in the ELF, despite departues from key players and coaches.  © European League of Football / Rhein Fire

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  

As April begins, the ELF’s season five kickoff is getting closer and closer. Imports will arrive soon, and before we know it teams will be in the full swing of pre-season training camps. Teams are just making their finishing touches to their rosters and coaching staff preparing for the May 17th kickoff. Rhein Fire get NFL OL coach & A import The Rhein Fire have added Paul Dunn as their OL coach. He has coached at several top college programs, including Penn State, Rutgers, Cincinnati, Kansas State, and Kentucky. Dunn also has experience in the NFL, where he worked with the Atlanta Falcons from 2008 to 2013. On the field, the Rhein Fire have added University of Pennsylvania receiver Rory Starkey jr. At 189 cm the former IVY league standout is a physical pass catcher who hopes to become a go to guy for Chad Jeffries in a WR room that features, Harlan Kwofie and Jordan Buoah.  Madrid Bravos sign DROY Pierre-Yves Majo The Madrid Bravos have signed swiss talent Pierre-Yves Majo. Majo played 12 games for the Helvetic Mercenaries last season, recording 39 tackles, 7 sacks, and 16 tackles for loss. His outstanding performance earned him the title of Defensive Rookie of the Year.   Vienna Vikings add their final import The Vienna Vikings have added former CFL and USFL veteran Amani Dennis. Dennis was a key defender on current Frankfurt Galaxy head coach Bart Andrus’s USFL team the Philadelphia Stars.  Dennis looks to pair well with Divine Buckram and Benjamin Straight in the Vienna secondary     RB Chris Voumbo stay home  The Paris Musketeers have officially extended the contract of running back Chris Voumbo. Voumbo played very well down the stretch last season finishing the year with  85 carries for 497 yards and 4 touchdowns, averaging an impressive 5.85 yards per carry.   Munich Ravens sign two vital imports The Munich Ravens have signed Dexter Fitzpatrick as their second American import and first on defense. Fitzpacktrick was a 4X all conference player at Mars Hill. We’ll have to wait to see who else joins him in Munich, as the Ravens have yet to announce their other 2 American imports.  The Ravens also bulk up their offensive line by signing Chinazo "CK" Obobi from the UK. Obobi played college football at D1 Marshall University as well as Austin Peay recently.    Get Your Tickets to the 2025 ELF Championship!

Rhein Fire has completed its American player roster with the signing of wide receiver Rory Starkey. He joins quarterback Chad Jeffries and defensive backs Omari Williams and Darius Nash as the fourth American on the team. Starkey will add even more talent to an already strong wide receiver group.   College and pro experience   Starkey played college football at the University of Pennsylvania, where he recorded 119 catches for 1,549 yards and 14 touchdowns over three seasons. He later continued his college career at Samford University. After his time in college, he had opportunities with the Green Bay Packers and the Houston Roughnecks.   With Starkey on board, Rhein Fire aims to continue its dominance and fight for a third consecutive championship in the 2025 season. Get your tickets for the 2025 Championship Game!

The ELF had four players take part in last week's NFL IPP pro day at the University of South Florida. The Frankfurt Galaxy’s punter Bastian Roppelt, the Stuttgart Surge’s kicker Lenny Krieg, as well as offensive lineman Leander Wiegand, and former DPOY Maceo Beard were all part this year's NFL IPP class which showed off its skills in front of NFL dozens of scouts. The future Atlanta Falcon Lenny Krieg steals the show The Stuttgart Surge’s kicker Lenny Krieg stole the show at the NFL Combine in February and once again showed scouts his powerful leg during the pro day last week.  As you might know, Krieg signed with the Atlanta Falcons shortly after the pro day as several teams had lined up visits for the German kicker following another impressive kicking performance.  NFL IPP scout Mark Dulgerian spoke on Krieg’s pro day performance:  “He continued his momentum from the Combine, showing impressive lift and power in his kicks. Our kicking coach, Tadhg Leader, did a fantastic job preparing him for what NFL evaluators would be focused on in these workouts. “ Leander Wiegand shows off elite strength Moving on to the big boys, the former Rhein Fire and Munich Ravens offensive lineman Leander Wiegand had scouts buzzing after an impressive show on the bench press with 38 reps of 225 lbs. This would’ve been the most of any offensive lineman at the 2025 NFL Combine by a astounding 5 reps. He also had an 8’10 broad jump and a 32-inch vertical jump. That vertical would’ve put him in the top 6 at the combine for offensive lineman.  “Not surprised by his test results.  He set an ambitious goal for his bench press mark and he achieved that, posting one of the best marks of the entire draft class.  He also moved well in drills at his size.” - Mark Dulgerian Maceo Beard continues to turn heads Former DPOY Maceo Beard also turned heads at the pro-day. The Frenchman last played for the Paris Musketeers in 2024. During the pro-day Beard showed off great movement skills and precise technique. “He really worked on his physique during his time at IMG and he showed up in great shape at his pro day. He looked very comfortable in field drills and caught the ball well.” - Mark Dulgerian The ELF has already produce several NFL players including pro bowler Kavontae Turpin. Through the NFL IPP program the ELF has already helped prepare Colts defensive back Marcel Dabo and Baltimore Ravens defensive end Adedayo Odeleye. Get Your Tickets to the 2025 ELF Championship Game

Rhein Fire has made an important addition to their coaching staff by signing Paul Dunn as their new offensive line coach. Dunn, an experienced football coach with decades of experience at the college, NFL, and CFL levels, is returning to the European League of Football after previously working with the Munich Ravens in 2023.   A coach with a strong background   Paul Dunn, played as an offensive guard at the University of Pittsburgh before starting his coaching career in 1983. Over the years, he has coached at several top college programs, including Penn State, Rutgers, Cincinnati, Kansas State, and Kentucky. His ability to develop offensive linemen made him a respected name in the coaching world.   Dunn also has experience in the NFL, where he worked with the Atlanta Falcons from 2008 to 2013, first as an assistant offensive line coach and later as the main offensive line coach. In 2014, he served as the offensive line coach for the Houston Texans. Additionally, he coached in the Canadian Football League with the Montreal Alouettes from 2018 to 2019.   A big move for Rhein Fire   By bringing in a coach with such a rich background, Rhein Fire is strengthening its offensive line for the upcoming ELF season. With his experience at the highest levels of football, Dunn is expected to bring valuable knowledge and leadership to the team. His return to the ELF shows his commitment to growing American football in Europe. Fans of Rhein Fire can look forward to a well-coached and disciplined offensive line under his guidance. Get your tickets for the 2025 Championship Game!

As March rolls on the ELF’s season five kickoff is getting closer and closer. With just a few weeks of preparation left teams are making the finishing touches to their rosters and coaching staff preparing for the May 17th kickoff. Rhein Fire add national champion OC Rhein Fire head coach Jim Tomsula has added Ed Warinner to his staff as the offensive coordinator for the back to back champions. Warinner has spent 30 years coaching college football and has been the OC at Ohio State and Kansas. He won the national championship with the Buckeyes under head coach Urban Meyer back in 2014.  Frankfurt adds two NFL players! The Frankfurt Galaxy have been busy this week announcing their final A-import spot with NFL, CFL, and USFL veteran Channing Stribling. Stribling was an all-USFL defensive back in 2022 and has had several stints in the NFL and CFL. He now reunited with his USFL head coach Bart Andrus in Frankfurt. The other NFL player coming to Frankfurt is a familiar face in Austrian running back Sandro Platzgummer. The former New York Giant returns to the Galaxy after putting up 853 total yards and 6 total touchdowns in 11 games last season.  Raiders add American defensive back Dijon Walls Walls had an outstanding college career at Morningside University, where he played from 2022 to 2025. Over 38 career games, he recorded 123 tackles, 29 pass break-ups, and an eye-popping 19 interceptions. Walls is the final American import for the raiders joining former NFL player Aaron Maddox in the Raiders Tirol secondary.  Madrid gets their first defensive American import Former D1 defensive back Dy’Vonne Inyang is headed to Madrid to join the Bravos. The former UTEP player had a solid career at the University of Texas El-Paso with 80 career tackles, 2 interceptions, and a sack.  He spent last season playing in Germany with the Paderborn Dolphins. Now he joins head coach Andrew Weidinger in the Spanish capital .      Berlin Thunder add NFL/CFL champions to their coaching staff The Berlin Thunder have brought in two assistant coaches with impressive resumes to work with head coach Jag Bal this season.  At offensive coordinator Berlin will be led by Canadian Football league legend Adam Rita. Rita won four Grey Cup championships in Canada as a head coach in the 1990’s and two more as an executive in the 2000’s. He also has experience coaching in the ELF, coaching the Barcelona Dragons through their inaugural season 2021.  Art Valero will be the offensive line coach for the Thunder. The veteran coach has over a decade of experience in pro-football as an offensive line and running backs coach.  Stuttgart Surge re-sign inebacker duo Omar Dittrich and Luis Leatherman The Stuttgart Surge continue to build their roster for the upcoming season. With the return of Omar Dittrich and Luis Leatherman, they secure two important rotational players for their linebacker corps. Both players add depth to the squad and have the potential to make an impact on the field.   Vienna Vikings run it back with Jan Phillip Bombek The Vienna Vikings are bringing back former All-Star defensive end. Jan Phillip Bombek. Last season the homegrown talent had 6.5 tackles for a loss and 2.5 sacks as he battled injuries throughout the season. The Former ELF All-Star returns to Veinna as they reassemble much of last years team to make another run at the title in 2025. Bombek has already participated in a total of 42 ELF games, 29 of which he began as a starter. He made 84 tackles, including 36 for loss and 28.5 sacks Hamburg Sea Devils add Aussie import linebacker The Hamburg Sea Devils have signed Austrailian linebacker Harrison Hobson. Hobson played last season with the Cologne Centurions making 34 tackles, one sack, one forced fumble, and three tackles for a loss in seven games last year.  Munich Ravens add offensive line talent At just 23 years old, British offensive lineman Daniel Bilesanmi has already made a name for himself in the GFL. His strong performances earned him a spot in the league’s “Offensive Line of the Week” selection twice. With his skills and experience, he will be a valuable addition to the Ravens’ offensive front. Now he joins the Munich Ravens hoping to take his game to the next level.  Get Your Tickets to the 2025 ELF Championship!

Rhein Fire has made a major move for the 2025 season by signing Ed Warinner as their new offensive coordinator. With over 30 years of coaching experience at the college level, Warinner brings a wealth of knowledge and success to the team. His impressive career includes coaching roles at top programs like Ohio State, Michigan, Notre Dame, and Florida Atlantic, where he consistently developed strong offensive units.   A career filled with success   Warinner began his coaching journey in 1984 at Akron before moving on to Michigan State, where he worked with linebackers and the secondary. He then spent 13 seasons at Army, coaching different positions and eventually becoming the offensive coordinator. His ability to develop talent and build strong offensive systems led to opportunities at Air Force, Illinois, and Kansas, where he played a key role in record-setting offensive performances.   Championship experience at Ohio State   One of Warinner’s most notable achievements came at Ohio State, where he coached from 2012 to 2016. As the offensive line coach and later the offensive coordinator, he helped the Buckeyes win the 2014 National Championship. His offensive lines were among the best in the nation, sending multiple players to the NFL and setting school records in rushing yards, passing yards, and touchdowns.   Building elite offensive lines   After his time at Ohio State, Warinner continued his success at Minnesota, Michigan, and Florida Atlantic. At Michigan, he developed one of the strongest offensive lines in the Big Ten, with all five starters earning All-Conference recognition. His ability to improve offensive line performance was evident at Florida Atlantic as well, where his unit was ranked among the top in the nation for fewest sacks allowed.   A huge addition for Rhein Fire   With Warinner joining Rhein Fire, the team gains a highly experienced coach known for developing powerful offenses and disciplined offensive lines. His leadership will be crucial as the team prepares for the 2025 season, aiming to build a dominant attack. Rhein Fire fans can look forward to an exciting and well-structured offense under his guidance. Don't miss a single game - Get your Game Pass now!

That’s another week down in the ELF off-season. Over the past seven days we saw teams add key players and even potential superstars, as coaches, players, and fans are preparing for the 2025 season.   Stuttgart Surge add talent The Surge added British receiver Daniel Pedro, to their offense. The 20-year old comes to Stuttgart after winning a championship and putting up  915 receiving yards and 14 touchdowns in the German Football League.  Raiders Tirol add XFL experience Former XFL WR Jacorey Sullivan heads to Innsbruck to join recently signed quarterback Connor Miller. Sullivan played for the Seattle Seadragons in the 2023 XFL after a first team all conference career at Central Michigan.  The Nordic Storm add two potential stars The Nordic Storm continue to add experience and big play potential to their roster. This time signing American receiver Brendan Beaulieu and veteran tight end Adria Botella Moreno.  Beaulieu a 194 cm receiver dominated in the German Football League last season scoring an eye-popping 27 touchdowns to go along with 1,647 receiving yards, as he was a driving factor in the Postdam Royals championship season. 3X ELF All-Star tight end Adria Botella Moreno also joins the Nordic Storm. The Spanish tight end joins his fifth ELF team in as many years, with a strong resume of 2,080 career receiving yards and 23 career touchdowns.  Frankfurt Galaxy bring back key homegrowns The Frankfurt Galaxy continue to shape their roster for the upcoming season, bringing back four familiar faces from last year’s squad. Taslim Gaye, Lennox Fletscher, Fränk Mousel, and Hagen Krauß have all re-signed with the team, reinforcing the Galaxy’s defense for another season. Taslim Gaye had a career season in 2024 with 7 tackles for a loss and four sacks.  Enthroners add to a stacked defensive line The Fehérvár Enthroners sign Finnish talent Aleksi Olavou. He last played for the Berlin Thunder last year notching 27 tackles, 0.5 sacks, and 2 tackles for a loss. He joins British talent Akram Adam and Americans Malik Crenshaw and Emmit Gooden on the Enthroners defensive front.  Madrid re-signs tight end Raul Cernuda Spanish veteran Rual Cernuda was a key part of the Madrid offense last year catching 28 passes for 454 yards and five touchdowns. Look for new head coach Andrew Weidinger to expand Cernuda’s role in his tight end heavy offense.  Rhein Fire reunion Elias Jassey and Dereck Ejike Onyia return to their hometown to play for theRhein Fire. These two young players were developed by the Düsseldorf Panthers where they won the youth national championship in 2022.  Get Your Ticket to the 2025 ELF Championship Game

Rhein Fire are continuing to work on their squad for the upcoming season in the European League of Football. The current champions are now focusing on their secondary.  As a result, two young and talented defensive backs have signed in Düsseldorf. A city that Elias Jassey and Dereck Ejike Onyia have already had a connection in the past. After all, both became German Football League Youth Champions 2022 with the Düsseldorf Panthers.  Different ways - reunion in the ELF After the glorious victory, the Homegrowns parted ways. Onyia, who is also part of the German national team, transferred to the Langenfeld Longhorns. Last season, he moved to the Nuremberg Rams. The 21-year-old proved his ability in the GFL 2 and became a cornerstone of the team. Jassey, on the other hand, went to the Krefeld Ravens in 2022, where he quickly became one of the absolute top performers. Jassey impressed so much that he was invited to a college camp in the US in the summer of 2023. He was supposed to audition for seven Division 1 colleges. Unfortunately, he was injured during preparations.  Now a new chapter in the European League of Football. Here, the young defender not only meets experienced champions, but also his old teammate Dereck Ejike Onyia. Don't miss a single ELF Game - get your Game Pass!

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 Rhein Fire have added more size and experience to their offensive line signing young talent Lukas Jakobi. Jakobi brings excellent size at 191 and 135 kg to the back-to-back ELF champions. The former youth national team player was recently in the US hoping to get recruited for college football. Now he finds himself playing for the ELF’s top team. Before coming to the ELF Jakobi played for the Düsseldorf Panther where he helped them win the national youth championship.    Jakobi is part of several new player that will make up the 2025 Rhein Fire squad. On offense some new faces will include veteran quarterback Chad Jeffries, offensive lineman Eboh-Austin Igbah-Ujene, and receiver Jordan Bouah.  Get Your Tickets to the 2025 ELF Championship!  

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 

In its history, the ELF has already had a number of top athletes. Some of them change teams or leagues. Others end their active football career. This is also the case after the 2024 season.  All retirements in the overview. Aleksandar Milanovic  The Vienna Vikings lose a captain. Offensive tackle Aleksandar Milanovic ends his pro football career. The 33-year-old Austrian played all three ELF years for the Vikings. He made the All-Star team in 2022 and 2023 and got voted the Man of Honor of the Year 2024. He played a total of 32 ELF games and was one of the Vikings' absolute leading players. Luis Horvath But the team lose another captain in Luis Horvath. The linebacker is retiring from football at the age of 27. Hovrath was one of the most important players on the Vikings defense. Together with the team, he became ELF Champion in 2022. In three years in the league, he collected 165 tackles.  Jakub Mazan Polish wide receiver Jakub Mazan has officially ended his career. After five years with the Wroclaw Panthers, the 32-year-old and the team share a very special bond. After all, Mazan caught the Panthers' first ELF touchdowns. Mazan announced the end of his career in 2022, only to return for the 2024 season. In total, the wideout played 31 ELF games in which he caught 107 passes for 1408 yards and 12 touchdowns.  Mazan also played for the Polish national team. He left it open for the opportunity to join their flag football team.  Kamil Ruta After 18 years, Kamil Ruta's football career comes to an end. The captain of the Wroclaw Panthers and the Polish national team was one of the most significant players in Polish football. The 38-year-old defensive tackle was Polish champion several times with the Panthers. Ruta also made his league debut for the Polish ELF team. He played a total of 40 games.  Philéas Pasqualini  Running back Philéas Pasqualini will leave the ELF after four years and end his career. The Frenchman began his journey in 2021 with the Wroclaw Panthers. He put in a strong performance in his very first season, which earned him a direct selection to the All-Star team.  In 2022, he moved to Stuttgart Surge, in 2024 to the Sea Devils. Pasqualini played 30 ELF games. He ran for 1597 yards and twelve touchdowns. Jason Aguemon Paris Musketeers captain Jason Aguemon has decided to end his career.” It's time for the entire Musketeers family to pay tribute to an exceptional player, captain, and human being,” says a statement from the team. The 32-year-old Frenchman made his ELF debut in 2021 for the Lepzig Kings. The running back then played for Rhein Fire in 2022 before moving to the Musketeers in 2023. In 39 ELF games, Aguemon ran for 1618 yards and 12 touchdowns. Florian Eichhorn Tight end Florian Eichhorn has ended his career. The 30-year-old spent four years in the ELF. It all started in 2021 with the Cologne Centurions. In 2022, the German decided to move to Rhein Fire, where he played until the end of his career. He played 27 games for the German team and became ELF champion in 2023 and 2024. Lorenz Regler Wide receiver Lorenz Regler became champion with Frankfurt Galaxy in 2021. After two more years in purple, the German moved to the Munich Ravens last season. Now the 29-year-old is putting the finishing touches on his career. Regler appeared in 44 ELF games, catching 117 passes for 1528 yards and 18 touchdowns. Robert Werner  Werner spent over ten years as a kicker in Munich. When he entered the league, the 37-year-old became part of the Ravens in 2023. After two good seasons, it's over. Werner ends his career and at what a time: He played an outstanding season, converting eleven of his 14 field goals and 58 of his 68 points after touchdowns. He was nominated for Special Teams Player of the Year. Although he did not win the award, he still chose a great end to his career.  Jebrai Regan Jebrau Regan will be missing from the Enthroners' defensive line next season. The 30-year-old edge rusher is retiring from active football. Regan spent two years in the ELF, both with the Enthroners. In 22 games, he recorded 104 tackles, including 32 for loss and 18 sacks. Overall he stayed eight years with the team. Darius Saint-Robinson With Darius Saint-Robinson, the ELF is losing a lot of experience. After all, the Helvetic Mercenaries cornerback has not only played for three ELF teams, but also in the NFL. From 2021 to 2022, Saint-Robinson played for the Wraclow Panthers, followed by a year with the Munich Ravens and most recently with the Mercenaries. Last season, he played all twelve games for his team. Jonathan Falk  A bitter loss for the Mercenaries. Middle linebacker and team captain Jonathan Falk ends his career. He was the heart of his defense and led the Swiss in tackles. Falk also collected the second most tackles in the league in his final football season. He was even named “Homegrown of the Year” at the ELF Honors. Falk already retired in 2019, but returned for the Mercenaries. “To inspire the young guys, to show, everything is possible,” he explained at the ELF Honors. Now the renewed retirement.  Watch all 2024 season highlights with the Game Pass! Sven Rieger  And another Galaxy player is retiring. Defensive linemen Rieger, joined the Galaxy in 2022. Since then, he has played 29 games, recording 61 tackles and nine sacks. Last season, the 36-year-old started every game.   Kevin Meier  Kevin Meier is the next Frankfurt player to end his career. The defensive end played 31 games for the Galaxy in the ELF. He was also part of the winning team that clinched the first ELF title of 2021. Off the pitch, the 33-year-old also supported the Galaxy as a physiotherapist. Thomas Fischbach  After three years with the Galaxy, Thomas Fischbach is also saying goodbye. In the ELF, the 31-year-old running back recorded 1025 rushing yards and seven touchdowns in 32 games. “Touchdown Thommy, you will always be part of the Purple Family and are always welcome in our stadium!”, Galaxy comments his farewell. Luca Hebel  Luca Hebel is leaving the Galaxy as part of the 2021 Championship team. The 24-year-old center was one of the Galaxy's key rotation players. “He has shaped the team and will forever be a part of the purple family,” announced Galaxy. Daniel Fanco Cruz  Daniel Franco Cruz, a Dragon from the very beginning, is leaving the board. The 32-year-old defensive tackle was already on the field in the Catalans' very first ELF season. In his final campaign, the captain played all twelve games, seven of which he started, and contributed 13 tackles and 1.5 sacks. In total, he can look back on over 20 years of football experience, which he will pass on as a coach in the future. From now on, he will be the assistant D-line coach for the Badalona Dracs. Get your tickets for the 2025 Championship Game here!