A.J. Wentland wins the Defensive Player of the Year award in the European League of Football

On the eve of the European League of Football grand final in Stuttgart, Panthers Wrocław linebacker A.J. Wentland was honored with the prestigious Defensive Player of the Year award.

Without a doubt, Wentland is the best player at his position in Europe and, this season, the top defensive player in the entire league. He joined Panthers Wrocław midway through the 2023 season and immediately became the cornerstone of their defense. His dominance on the field is reflected in the league’s statistics, but his influence extends to the locker room as well, where he thrives as a captain and motivator, driving the team’s continuous growth.

Wentland not only claimed the title of European League of Football Defensive Player of the Year 2025, but also earned a spot on the All-Star First Team for the fourth time in his career. In the 2025 season, he recorded 144 tackles, once again leading the league – for the second consecutive year and the third time overall. His impressive stat line also includes 4.5 sacks, 13.5 tackles for loss, 4 forced fumbles, 2 blocked kicks, 5 pass breakups, and 1 interception.

Thanks to his contract extension signed last year, the American linebacker will continue to represent Panthers Wrocław for at least another season.