At this point in the NFL offseason, roster-builders have scoured the free-agent market and built out draft boards in search of players who can help them win. And this week, teams will get an up-close look at another potential source of impact talent: the International Player Pathway program.
On Wednesday, the 15 members of the IPP's Class of 2024, representing eight different countries, will take the field for a workout in front of NFL scouts as part of the University of South Florida pro day, surely hoping to add their names to the list of successful pros produced by the program.
The IPP program (which, it is important to note, is different from the NFL Academy) is designed to offer elite athletes from around the world with experience in other sports -- like rugby, basketball, track, Gaelic football and Australian football, among others -- the opportunity to earn a spot on an NFL roster. Since the program began in 2017, 37 participants have signed with NFL teams, and five have been active for at least one game: Eagles left tackle Jordan Mailata (who hails from Australia); Commanders defensive end Efe Obada (United Kingdom); Raiders fullback Jakob Johnson (Germany); tight end Sammis Reyes (Chile), who appeared in 11 games with the Commanders in 2021; and defensive tackle David Bada (Germany), who appeared in two games with the Commanders in 2022. There are currently 18 former IPP participants who are either on an active roster or a practice squad, or signed to a reserve/futures contract.
Each year, the athletes are chosen by a committee that includes the head of the IPP, James Cook, his small team of scouts and me. We all work to form relationships and find top talent in sports leagues across the globe. Once the class is
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