By Michael Voitek
Stoked for European League of Football to come to the Czech Republic. Their 2023 European League of Football roster is set, and the Prague Lions are hungry to leave their mark on a new league.
The Prague Lions roster consists of 37 active players: four American imports, six European imports, and 27 national players.
At quarterback, they are going with Shazzon Mumphrey. Mumphrey played at Florida A&M and later D-II New Haven. He’s a 6’3 220-pound QB who played a bit of receiver in college, so if he’s coming your way you better watch out, because he can lay a hit. He led this team to a Czech Bowl championship last year and looks to win another championship this year.
Adam Zouzelka will lead the charge for this team in the backfield. This imposing back was the Czech Bowl MVP last year and will look to continue his success. WR Vic Wharton will most likely be the star of the show on this offense. The former University of California product almost had 1,000 yards for the Golden Bears in 2017 and played for the Saarland Hurricanes in the German Football League two years ago when he caught 69 passes for 1,000 yards and 11 TDs. He will look to dominate this league. They also have a hidden weapon Marek Suchy, who is the all-time leading receiver and touchdown scorer in the Czech league. Don’t sleep on Aymeric Nicault either, a former International combine attendee, this guy can really make an impact on this team.
The Lions signed Eden Thiede Palmer, a tight end out of England, who can be a real difference maker for this offense. He played in the UK last year and was offensive player of the year. On the line, Josef Fuksa will, without a doubt, be the leader of this team. “Pepe”, as his teammates call him, has been playing football in Europe since 2006 when he started with the Lions. He has the experience a team like this needs. David Sanek has also been with the team for years, making for an experienced front for this team.
Prague Lions QB Shazzon Mumphrey #2 Photo Libor Vočadlo
Defensively, they will have veteran James Brooks (North Alabama) at defensive end. Brooks has played a number of years in Japan with IBM Big Blue while also playing in Europe with the Lions as well as with Poznan in Poland and the Cologne Falcons in the German Football League. He was a standout everywhere he played. He may be a bit older (34), but he’s savvy and knowledgeable, but he can no doubt get it done in the ELF. Jan Stary is a great national talent for the Lions. The defensive end was second in the league in sacks last year in the Austrian league and will be tough to stop. My player to watch on this D-line is Zaire Ugapo, a former Potsdam Royal. This guy is explosive and a hard tackler. He will be the difference maker for this team.
At linebacker, Emmanuel Falola is a British linebacker with invites to the NFL and CFL combine. He’s fast and tough but has yet to play in a league like this one. However, Falola was drafted by the Toronto Argonauts in the CFL’s Global Draft and is currently in camp with the team. Tomas Pazourek will be the leader of this linebacking crew. He led the Czech league in tackles for loss with 19.5 and has rthe ability to wreck games.
Defensive back Rogria Lewis will have a lot of eyes on him. Lewis was a walk-on at Alabama who never really got a shot on the field, but he did win two national championships and was coached by Nick Saban. He’s been coached by the best, has the attributes to be great, and played well in Austria last year, but this league is a step up. His teammate in Austria, Alexander Borkovic, will also be joining him in Prague and they should form a dynamic duo. Lukas Ruzek has been with the team since 2010 and should be the heart and soul of the defensive backfield. Look for leadership from him.
The Lions are building something special in Prague. They have experience and great athletes all over the field. They may not be a playoff team just yet, but it wouldn’t surprise if they snuck in. A lot of their season will depend on if the older core can stay healthy for the entire year. If they stay healthy and can maintain production, the Lions can be a scary team to play.
Quarterbacks
- Shazzon Mumphrey – American – (D-I Florida A&M, D-II New Haven)
RB Adam Žouželka
Running backs
- David Kilián – National
- Adam Žouželka – National
Wide receivers
- Brandon Butler Jr- E-import
- Josef Janota – National
- Lukáš Kadlec – National
- Aymeric Nicault – French – E-Import
- Pavel Ševeček – National
- Marek Suchý – National
- Vic Wharton III – American – (University of California, D-I)
WR Vic Wharton III
Tight ends
- Martin Havelka – National
- Eden Thiede-Palmer – British – E-Import
Offensive linemen
- Josef Fuksa – National
- Michal Knotek – National
- Miroslav Kysilka – National
- Zbyněk Kysilka – National
- Jan Rauš – National
- David Šaněk – National
Defensive linemen
- James Brooks – American – (X-League)
- Marek Daník – National
- Jakub Ječný – National
- Jan Lipták – National
- Jakub Smutný – National
- Jan Starý – National
- Zaire Ugapo – Australia – (Import)
Linebackers
- Kamel Eltifi – National
- Tomáš Pazourek – National
DB Rogria Lewis Alabama Crimson Tide Photo: Crimson Tide
Defensive backs
- Aleksandar Borković – Serbia
- Jakub Brejcha – National
- Aleš Drhlík – Nationa
- Daniel Feuereisel – National
- Charun Jachjajev – National
- Jan Krs – National
- Rogria Lewis – American – (University of Alabama, D-I)
- Lukáš Růžek – National
- Lukáš Rokošný – National