Wallabies and Queensland Reds player Jordan Petaia has confirmed he will compete for an NFL shot at Florida’s international player pathway program.
Petaia, who played for the Wallabies at two World Cups, has walked away from rugby union to try his luck in the United States.
The 24-year-old said he would attend January’s exclusive NFL International Player Pathway (IPP) development camp in Florida.
“The decision to step away hasn’t been easy,” he wrote in an Instagram post on Tuesday.
“I will forever be grateful for the experiences … it feels like the right time in my career to pursue this dream I’ve had for a long time.
“Thank you to the NFL IPP for giving me this once in a lifetime opportunity.”
Loading Instagram content
Petaia burst onto the scene with a historic Wallabies debut at just 19 at the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan.
His career has been hampered by several injuries and he has been unable to settle on a preferred position after being tried in the centres, on the wing and at fullback.
Armed with a combination of speed, power, agility and coordination, Petaia will attempt to prove to NFL scouts he can play numerous positions, including wide receiver, tight end or on special teams.
Petaia knocked back lucrative European rugby and NRL offers and will instead give up pay for at least five months to pursue his NFL dream.
It is the same program that kick-started Sydney-born Jordan Mailata’s NFL career with the Philadelphia Eagles.
Australia’s Jordan Mailata made a successful move to the NFL to play for the Philadelphia Eagles. (Getty Images: Tim Nwachukwu)
Former NRL player Jarryd Hayne cracked the San Francisco 49ers active squad as a running back, making eight appearances in 2015.
That was before the advent of the IPP, which was designed to streamline the inclusion of foreign talent and not interfere with the traditional draft system.
Queensland State of Origin representative Valentine Holmes joined the New York Jets’ practice squad from the IPP in 2019 but quickly aborted after a preseason of limited opportunities.
Petaia could benefit from a new rule introduced last season that allows NRL teams to carry an international player, in addition to their active roster, that can play up to three matches in a season.
There are currently 18 IPP products on NFL rosters, including Welsh rugby winger Louis Rees-Zammit, who is on Jacksonville’s training squad after being among the last cut by the Kansas City Chiefs.
AAP
Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source link
