Jamaican Olympic champion Roje Stona continues his NFL profession with the identical program as Louis Rees-Zammit | NFL Information

Jamaican Olympic discus champion Roje Stona is among the many newest group of athletes to depart their sport to pursue a profession within the NFL.

Stona received gold in Paris earlier this summer season whereas breaking the Olympic discus report as the primary Jamaican to win a throwing occasion on the Olympics.

He’ll now step away from his sport to affix the 2025 class of the Worldwide Participant Pathway program alongside 13 different athletes from 13 international locations around the globe with a view to securing a possibility in soccer.

Stona and his fellow members will prepare for 10 weeks on the IMG Academy in Florida beginning in January earlier than demonstrating their expertise in entrance of the eyes of NFL scouts at a Professional Day in March.

Additionally becoming a member of this system are Australian rugby union worldwide Jordan Petaia and Ulster participant Aaron Sexton, representing Eire.

Louis Rees-Zammit made headlines earlier this yr when he left rugby on the eve of the Six Nations to affix the IPP, first signing with the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs for whom he featured within the preseason earlier than ultimately becoming a member of the apply squad of the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Irish kicker Charlie Smyth additionally crossed over from the 2024 class to signal with the New Orleans Saints' apply squad, whereas Briton Travis Clayton was drafted by the Buffalo Payments.

There are at present 23 IPP athletes on rosters throughout the league, with essentially the most notable being Philadelphia Eagles left sort out Jordan Mailata of Australia and Briton Efe Obada, who’s with the Washington Commanders.

Stona, who attended the College of Arkansas and Clemson, was beforehand invited to rookie minicamps by the Inexperienced Bay Packers and New Orleans Saints in Might of this yr.

IPP gamers could be acquired as a free agent or chosen within the 2025 NFL Draft, with certified gamers eligible to be rostered on a further seventeenth spot on the apply squad reserved for worldwide gamers.

Defensive sort out Dante Barnett will characterize UK within the Class of 2025, who beforehand frolicked with the NFL Academy between 2019 and 2021 after beginning taking part in soccer for a neighborhood youth staff on the age of 15 after rising up in Birmingham.

He might be joined by defensive lineman/linebacker Mapalo 'Maz' Mwansa, who joined the Nice Britain nationwide staff after being scouted whereas learning at Loughborough College.

“The Class of 2025 is thrilling and we’re thrilled to welcome these proficient athletes from around the globe to the Worldwide Participant Pathway program,” mentioned Peter O'Reilly, NFL govt vp, worldwide occasions and membership affairs.

“It’s essential to give attention to our world soccer improvement efforts and foster worldwide expertise to develop our recreation globally. The IPP program gives life-changing alternatives for worldwide expertise, and we look ahead to monitor their progress within the weeks and months to come back.”