Updates

The NFL has announced its International Player Pathway (IPP) program Class of 2025 featuring 14 athletes representing 13 nations around the world, as the league continues to focus on creating more opportunities for talented international athletes to play the game at the highest level.

Established in 2017, the IPP program identifies elite global talent with the aim of providing selected athletes the opportunity to improve and develop their skills, and ultimately earn a spot on an NFL roster. 

Starting in January 2025, athletes on the program are invited to train in American football — both on the field and in the classroom — for 10 weeks at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida, before showcasing their skills in front of NFL club scouts as part of the University of South Florida’s Pro Day in March.

Players can be signed as a free agent or, if eligible, selected during the 2025 NFL Draft. Each NFL club is permitted one roster exemption for a qualifying international player from the start of the club’s offseason program through the roster reduction to 53 players. At that time, qualifying international players are eligible to be signed to a 17th practice squad roster spot reserved for international athletes across any of the 32 teams.

The program has historically welcomed athletes from diverse sporting backgrounds, including rugby, basketball, Gaelic football, track & field and more, and is supported by elite football coaching staff.   

“The Class of 2025 is an exciting one, and we are delighted to welcome these talented athletes from around the world to the International Player Pathway program,” said Peter O’Reilly, Executive Vice President International, Events and Club Business at the NFL. “Focusing on our global football development efforts and fostering international talent is crucial to growing our game globally. The IPP program offers life-changing opportunities for international talent, and we look forward to following their progress in the weeks and months ahead.”

The International Player Pathway Program Class of 2025 includes:

A group of specialists, consisting of international kickers and punters, will also join the wider Class of 2025 in the coming weeks.

The IPP program is part of a long-term commitment by the NFL and its 32 clubs to accelerate global football development efforts and establish a pathway for international talent to play the game at the highest level.

Since its inception, 41 international players have signed with NFL teams (allocated, drafted or signed as a free agent), with 23 IPP athletes currently on NFL rosters. Six of these players — Jordan Mailata (Australia), Jakob Johnson (Germany), Efe Obada (United Kingdom), Sammis Reyes (Chile), Thomas Odukoya (Netherlands) and David Bada (Germany) — have seen active rosters since 2017.

For more information on the International Player Pathway program, visit: www.nfl.com/international/player-pathway.