NFL Names 2024 International Player Pathway Class; 16 Athletes from 8 Nations Chosen

Sixteen athletes across eight different countries have been chosen for the NFL's International Player Pathway Class of 2024, the league announced Thursday.

The International Player Pathway, which was founded in 2017, "aims to provide elite international athletes with the opportunity to compete at the NFL level, improve their skills and ultimately work to earn a spot on an NFL roster."

England, Ireland, Australia, Austria, the Dominican Republic, Nigeria, Scotland and Wales are the countries represented in this year's class. The athletes come from various sporting backgrounds, including rugby, basketball, Gaelic football, Australian football and track, among others.

Here's the list of athletes who were chosen for the class of 2024 and where they hail from:

• Jotham Russell, Australia
• Patrick Murtagh, Australia
  
• Florian Bierbaumer, Austria
  
• Bayron Matos, Dominican Republic
  
• George Smith, England
  
• Travis Clayton, England
  
• Harry Mallinder, England
  
• Mark Jackson, Ireland
  
• Charlie Smyth, Ireland
  
• Darragh Leader, Ireland
  
• Rory Beggan, Ireland
  
• Sam Orji, Nigeria
  
• Isaac Ajanah, Nigeria
  
• Udo Uzuegbu, Nigeria
  
• Praise Olatoke, Nigeria/Scotland
  
• Louis Rees-Zammit, Wales
  

NFL executive vice president international, club business and major events Peter O'Reilly said in a statement:

"We are thrilled to welcome the International Player Pathway program Class of 2024. 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. The 2024 program participants are an elite, diverse group of athletes and we look forward to following their journeys in the months ahead."

The players selected for the program will work out at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida, beginning this month before being given the opportunity to work out for NFL scouts in March.

The International Player Pathway program has been very successful since it's inception in 2017 as 37 athletes have signed with NFL teams and 18 athletes are currently on league rosters.

One of the biggest International Player Pathway program success stories is that of Philadelphia Eagles tackle Jordan Mailata, who played rugby in Australia and participated in the IPP before being selected by the franchise in the seventh round of the 2018 draft.

Mailata made his NFL debut in 2020, starting 10 of 15 games, and he has started all 47 games he has been active for over the last three seasons.

Other players to find success through the IPP include Las Vegas Raiders fullback Jakob Johnson, Washington Commanders defensive end Efe Obada and Washington defensive tackle David Bada.