NFL’s International Player Pathway: Roje Stona, Jordan Petaia and Aaron Sexton in class of 2025
Olympic discus throw champion Roje Stona and Australian rugby union international Jordan Petaia will become the latest athletes to participate in the NFL’s international player pathway.
The IPP program identifies global talent and provides athletes with the opportunity to develop their American football skills and potentially earn a spot on an NFL roster.
In January, 14 athletes will participate in a 10-week training camp in Florida that will include on-field and classroom training before showcasing their skills to NFL scouts ahead of next year’s NFL draft.
Rugby league players Louis Rees-Zammit and Travis Clayton and Gaelic footballer Charlie Smyth have all been tipped by the NFL in the Class of 2024 Team selected.
The 2025 squad includes Dante Barnett and Mapalo Mwansa from England, as well as Ulster Rugby League wing Aaron Sexton is Ireland’s only representative.
Stoner, 25, trained with two NFL teams last spring before winning Jamaica’s first Olympic gold medal in the throwing event at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Petaya, 24 years old, Already linked with a move to rugby league And aim to emulate fellow Australian Jordan Mailata.
Since the establishment of the IPP program in 2017, 41 international players have joined NFL teams, 23 of whom are currently on the team and six others on the team’s active roster.
Mailata is the most successful player, transitioning from age-level football to becoming a key part of the Philadelphia Eagles’ offensive line, helping them reach the Super Bowl in 2023.
“Focusing our global football development efforts and developing international talent is critical to our sport growing on a global scale,” said Peter O’Reilly, NFL executive vice president.
“The IPP program provides life-changing opportunities for international talent and we look forward to following their progress in the coming weeks and months.”
