ELF: 2024 Hamburg Sea Devils – A Roster Breakdown

By Michael Voitek

The Hamburg Sea Devils had to have been one of the most disappointing teams in the European League of Football in 2023 finishing 4-8 and missing the playoffs. With a reloaded roster, the Sea Devils look to right the ship and bring this team back to a championship game.

Let’s break down their roster to see if they have a shot.

The Sea Devils roster consists of 64 players, four American imports, and six European Imports.

Offense

Quarterback

The Sea Devils had two quarterbacks running the show last year after injuries, but they hope Javarian Smith can take them the distance this year. Smith played at Division II Lake Erie College before joining the Prague Black Panthers in the Austrian Football League and then the Allgäu Comets in the German Football League where he threw 44 touchdown passes last year. With a lot of experience playing overseas, he should blend well into the ELF.

Running Back

One of the major faults of this Sea Devils team was their rushing attack in 2023. Their running backs mustered barely over 500 yards on the ground last year, making this a critical point of emphasis going into the year. They may need some help here, however. The Sea Devils decided not to touch the backfield, instead sticking with a trio of Jakob Michaelson, Lucas Harting Candido, and Simon Ajuwon Homadi. If this team is going to do something, I would love to see Harting Candido break out this year.

Wide Receiver

At wide receiver, just know two names: Jarvis McClam and Theo Landström.

The American and Swedish import are fantastic players and played amazing for the Raiders and Dragons last year. McClam was one of, if not the best player before an injury hampered his production. If he can repeat the form he had in the beginning of the year in 2023, then this offense is going to boom.

A player to watch out for is Noah Bomba, formerly of the Frankfurt Galaxy and Stuttgart Surge, who, at only 23 years old, has already played three seasons in the ELF with a championship ring to show for it.

Offensive Line

Up front, Austine Igba Ujene and Deon Mutsavanemoto will have to fill in for the departures of Robin Fensch and Gerrit Brandt. A player to watch out for is Shalom Baafi. Baafi played at the New Mexico Military Institute in the States and will need to help out this offensive line after key departures.

Defense

Defensive line

The defensive line lost two all-stars from last year in Evans Yeboah and Jan Philip Bombak. They signed E-import Michael Keshniro, but I have my doubts about his talent after struggling to find a team to play for last year. A player who can truly help this team is Zaire Ugapo. At 6’3, 265 pounds, look for Ugapo to wreak havoc on opposing fronts.

Linebacker

In the linebackers, the team has lost their top tackler last year, Matthias Spiegel. To make up for this loss, the team has signed Toby Naylor as an E-import from England. Naylor played for the Bristol Academy before playing college ball at D-III Brevard College where he was even a team captain for them. At 23 years old, Naylor should provide some fire for this team.

Defensive back

The Sea Devils lose two great defensive backs in Deion Harris and Kevin Fortes but they have loaded up heading into 2024. Lee Pitts (University of Sioux Falls) and Caleb Mills (New Mexico State) will bring great American talent to this team that desperately needs it.

Mills was even a NFL minicamp invitee. Dominic Yaw Aboagye-Duah adds some experience to this defensive backfield as well.

Wrapping up

On paper, it looks like it’s going to be another rough season for this Sea Devils team. Unless McClam and Smith have a divine connection, I just don’t see this team being very productive in 2024. Too many questions at running back and the defensive and offensive line to make them a playoff team.

Offseason grade: C