New York (AFP) – Five kicking specialists from England and Ireland are among 16 athletes from eight nations named Thursday to the NFL’s International Player Pathway (IPP) program for 2024, the league announced Thursday.
The expanded program to train global talent features 11 players at offensive and defensive positions and a new group with five European kicking and punting specialists.
The program, established in 2017, gives top international athletes to chance to improve their American football skills and compete for a chance to play at the NFL level.
This year’s talent will make the transition from rugby, basketball, athletics, Gaelic football and Australian football.
“As we focus on the global growth of the game, expanding international talent within the NFL is critical -— connecting our sport with fans across the world,” said Peter O’Reilly, NFL executive vice president international, club business and major events.
“The 2024 program participants are an elite, diverse group of athletes and we look forward to following their journeys in the months ahead.”
The five kicking specialists include England’s Travis Clayton and Harry Mallinder and Irishmen Mark Jackson, Charlie Smyth, Darragh Leader and Rory Beggan.
Wicklow goalkeeper Jackson, Monaghan goalkeeper Beggan and Down goalkeeper Smyth are from the Gaelic football ranks while Mallinder plays rugby in Tokyo after a long stint with Premiership side Northampton and Leader played rugby union for Ireland’s Connacht.
Others include Australians Jotham Russell from rugby league and Patrick Murtagh from Aussie Rules Football, Nigerians Sam Orji, Isaac Ajanah, Udo Uzuegbu and Praise Olatoke, Welshman Louis Rees-Zammit from rugby union, Austrian Florian Bierbaumer, England’s George Smith and basketball player Bayron Matos of the Dominican Republic.
Since it began in 2017, the IPP has seen 37 players sign with NFL teams and 18 players now on NFL rosters or reserve squads.
Players will start training camps later this month at IMG Academy and will perform before NFL team scouts in March.Clubs will be allowed an extra 17th practice squad roster spot for an IPP player.
