As another season is upon us in the European League of Football, just like every other year there are always a group of newcomers looking to make a name for themselves in the best league in Europe. In no particular order let's take a look at 12 newcomers from the Eastern Conference to keep an eye on this upcoming season.
Lucas Lavin, OL - Berlin Thunder
Lavin brings some high level offensive line experience to a Berlin team looking to be more physical upfront. Lavin will probably play Tackle in an effort to protect their new Quarterback and former ELF Champion, Jakeb Sullivan.
Adam Dobkowski, LB - Wroclaw Panthers
With Adam Dobkowski joining the team, the Panthers have an opportunity to be the most physical Linebacker group in the league. In a Linebacker group led by AJ Wentland, Dobkowski will have to replace Defensive Rookie Of the Year Tim Nuikka (signed with the Porvoon Butchers).
Tony Koskinen, OL - Vienna Vikings
Finnish players as a whole have had a lot of success in the ELF. In a league where quality offensive line play is hard to come by, the Vikings go to Finland and add another good player to their offense.
Peter Lundström, DB - Prague Lions
Lundström is what the Prague Lions need in the secondary. A physical guy, understands coverage, understands angles, and someone who has playmaking ability at the safety position.
Samuel Bhoedjang, WR - Enthroners
The Enthroners get a crisp route runner in Bhoedjang who can also stretch the field vertically. He’ll have the opportunity to learn from Nathaniel Robitaille on how to improve his skill set, but Bhoedjang aka “Simba” is a newcomer we should not sleep on.
Lars Liebig, OL - Berlin Thunder
Berlin, a team that did not run the ball particularly well last season, adds Liebig to the interior to help boost their run attack. Lars Liebig has guard experience having played for the Dresden Monarch, and was successful in his 7 years in the 1st division.
Eryk Paszkiewicz, DE - Wroclaw Panthers
Erik Paszkiewicz brings physicality to the front 7 of the Panthers defense. Paszkiewicz brings the versatility to play Outside Linebacker (maybe in a 3-4 Defensive scheme) or rush the passer as a defensive end.
Tristan Smodics, DB - Vienna Vikings
Tristan Smodics plays with confidence and physicality, and he brings length to the Vikings' defense. Speed is a question, but he will have an opportunity to crack the rotation and play on special teams.
Hjalmar Nielsen, DB - Enthroners
The Ethroners struggled on the defensive side to say the least. Nielsen is someone who can have an impact from multiple positions as an E-Import paired up with Roedion in that secondary
Noah “Jackson” Obolela, LB - Prague Lions
Jackson will bring speed to the Prague defense at the Linebacker position. Although young, this is a guy who flies to the ball with bad intentions.
Serif Djibrila, DL - Berlin Thunder
Serif Djibrila brings some GFL experience having played for the Berlin Alder, and the New Yorker Lions. Djibrila is going to benefit from playing next to two-time Defensive Player of the Year Kyle Kitchens and will get some 1-on-1 opportunities he’ll have to win to make an impact
Benni Formann, DB - Vienna Vikings
Vikings add a young Defensive Back to the mix for a defense that likes to have speed on the field and guys who can be versatile on the back end.