| # | 28 |
|---|---|
| Name | Eric Köhncke |
| Nationality |  Germany |
| Position | Defensive Back |
| Height | 180cm |
| Weight | 80kg |
| Current Team | Munich Ravens |
| Past Teams | Munich Ravens, Schwäbisch Hall Unicorns, Stuttgart Surge |
| Leagues | European League of Football, German Football League, European Football Alliance |
| Seasons | 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026 |
| Age | 24 |
Eric Köhncke is a versatile German Defensive Back for the Munich Ravens, known for his speed, adaptability, and high athletic and academic achievement. A native of Lübeck, Köhncke began his sports journey in equestrianism before dedicating himself to American football, starting at a young age with the Lübeck Seals. His athletic potential earned him an exchange year in Kansas, USA, where he broke the school record for most solo tackles in a season while also successfully competing in powerlifting and track.
Köhncke quickly adapted to the highest levels of German football, earning Rookie of the Year honors in the GFL2 (2021) and receiving an invitation to the German National Team. Despite joining the Ravens just before the 2024 season, he rapidly became a key component of the defense, leading the franchise to secure him with a rare three-year contract, locking him in through 2027. Currently pursuing a degree in Human Medicine, Köhncke embodies the balance of elite athleticism and academic rigor.
Previous stations
- 2012: Lübeck Seals (Youth)
- 2013–2017: Lübeck Cougars (Youth)
- 2018–2019: Sedgwick High School Cardinals (Kansas, USA)
- 2018–2019: Lübeck Cougars U19 (GFLJ)
- 2020: Hamburg Huskies U19 (GFLJ)
- 2021: Lübeck Cougars (Men’s Team, GFL2)
- 2022: Stuttgart Surge * (Was on the roster but without reported deployment/snap count)
- 2023: Schwäbisch Hall Unicorns (GFL)
- Since 2024: Munich Ravens (European League of Football)
Credits
- Eric Köhncke – Foot Bowl
- Köhncke – European League of Football (Official Site)
- Munich Ravens setzen auf Kontinuität: Vertragsverlängerung mit Defensive Back Eric Köhncke (Official Website)
- Köhncke, Eric – Universität Tübingen (Bio/Academic Profile)
- The Munich Ravens Team – Meet the Players – European League of Football (Roster)
Achievements
Team Achievements
- North Group Winner with the Hamburg Huskies U19 (GFLJ, 2020).
- (His USA High School team reached the State Semi-Finals in 2019).
Personal Achievements
- Named Team MVP with the Lübeck Cougars U16 (2017).
- Broke the school record for most solo tackles in a season at Sedgwick High School (2019).
- Multiple VYPE Magazine Player of the Week awards (2019).
- Voted to the All-State and All-League Team (USA High School, 2019).
- Lübeck Cougars Team Rookie of the Year (GFL2, 2021).
- Received an invitation to the German National Team (Late 2021).
Selected Statistics
- In his 2021 GFL2 Rookie season, he recorded 37 tackles, 1 sack, 3 interceptions, and 8 pass break-ups.
- In the 2023 GFL season with the Schwäbisch Hall Unicorns, he recorded 24 tackles, 1 forced fumble, 1 fumble recovery, and 4 pass break-ups in 10 games.
- In the 2024 ELF season with the Munich Ravens, he recorded 16 tackles in 10 games.
Other
- He was born in Lübeck, Germany, on September 17, 2001.
- He is currently studying Human Medicine (Staatsexamen) at the University of Tübingen, balancing his studies with elite sport.
- His mother is Marina Köhncke, who competed in eventing at the 2000 Olympic Games, influencing his early start in equestrian sports.
- He initially started with American football at the age of 12 (2014) after transitioning from riding.
- In his exchange year at Sedgwick High School in Kansas, he excelled in track (100m, 200m, 400m, discus) and powerlifting alongside football.
- In college, he shifted his focus between Cornerback and Safety, starting his pro career at Cornerback before moving to Safety.
- Ravens General Manager Sean Shelton highlighted his importance: “Eric was an unexpected but fantastic addition to our team last season. Despite joining us shortly before the season began, he quickly proved to be an important high-performer and a cornerstone for our future, which is underscored by his three-year contract.”
