AFI’s All-Europe Team: Defensive Line – Kyle Kitchens, Leipzig Kings
After completing his second season in Europe pass rusher Kyle Kitchens has cooked up quite a pass-rushing resume for himself. In his first two seasons, Kitchens has led both the German Football League and the European League of Football in sacks.
The 6’2, 265-pound native of Decator, Georgia racked up 12.5 sacks last season as a member of the Leipzig Kings. His pass-rushing success combined with his 39 solo tackles, 23 tackles for a loss, and three forced fumbles made him the league’s inaugural defensive player of the year and naturally, a league All-Star.
Before joining the ELF, Kitchens led the German Football League in sacks in 2019 collecting 16 sacks, 31 tackles for a loss (second-most in the GFL), and 76 total tackles for the Potsdam Royals. Kitchens also played professionally in the United States as part of the Fan–Controlled–Football League and The Spring League.
As a collegiate player, Kitchens was a three-time All-American at Catawba College (NCAA D2) in North Carolina. During his time with the Indians, Kitchens won two conference defensive player of the year awards and racked up 38 career sacks breaking the school record. His best season came in 2017, as the senior had 12.5 sacks.
During the off-season Kitchens has opted to stay in the European League of Football signing with the Berlin Thunder.
Thunder head coach Johnny Schmuck on signing the league’s premiere pass rusher:
“To get the Defensive Player of the Year in Kyle Kitchens on our roster makes me extremely excited because it once again underlines our ambition for the upcoming season. He shares our vision and believes in our program and that makes us really proud”
Watch Kitchens 2021 highlights here:
