NFL
The NFL will hold an international player combine in London
In keeping with their 'International Player Pathway Program,' the NFL takes it's search for talent to the global arena this October.
With a history of combines used to discover new talen, the NFL is going international in their search
The NFL goes to London
The NFL will once again look to the international arena for new talent as they hold a combine for 50 athletes from across 15 different countries in London next month. The invitational scouting showcase is modeled off of the annual NFL combine which takes place in Indianapolis. The goal is to discover international athletes who have the mind and skill set to play in the league. The combine will be held at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium with a date set for October 12th.
Among those invited are athletes from Britain, Germany, Belgium, Australia, New Zealand, France, Nigeria, Austria, Slovakia, Italy, Switzerland, Japan, Finland, Sweden and Hungary.
The NFL & The 'International Player Pathway Program'
According to NFL chief operating officer of international, Damani Leech, the goal is three fold. "Through the event, we hope to discover new talent, create more global exposure of the game and provide an opportunity for participants to compete at the highest level," he said.
Athletes in attendance will be evaluated for a potential position in the NFL's International Player Pathway program. The same program was responsible for the likes of Buffalo DE Efe Obada, New England fullback Jakob Johnson and Washington tight end Sammis Reyes emerged.
How does NFL select the players?
Once the international combine is completed, a select group of the athletes who meet the specific performance standards and display the grit needed to play in the NFL, will be invited to train in the United States for three months as part of the program. The pack will then be cut once again following the period of training. Those selected will then be distributed amongst the rosters of NFL teams for the coming 2022 season.
For more from the NFL
In yeas gone by, the league hosted similar combines events in Australia in (2018) and in Germany (2019). To this end, The NFL will also be holding a combine in Mexico later in October for athletes who are unable to travel to London due to the restrictions associated with the covid-19 pandemic.