Aaron Sexton has boldly declared he's got the pace for the NFL, having left his rugby days behind to chase gridiron glory. At 24, Sexton boasts a history with Sevens Rugby for Ireland and 11 Ulster Rugby caps, but it's Louis Rees-Zammit's successful leap to the Jacksonville Jaguars, via the Kansas City Chiefs, that's spurred on the ex-winger to fully commit to an NFL future.
Rees-Zammit, a product of the 2024 International Pathway Programme (IPP), has paved the way for Sexton, who was announced as one of the 14 participants in the 2025 intake, reports the Irish Mirror.
The Bangor native is also tracing the path of another Irish rugby convert, Darragh Leader, as well as Gaelic Football keepers Rory Beggan, Mark Jackson, and Charlie Smyth, all of whom dipped their toes into the IPP earlier this year. Smyth, from Down, ultimately signed with the New Orleans Saints.
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Since its inception, the IPP has seen 41 international athletes join NFL teams, with 23 IPP graduates currently on team rosters. Sexton, an avid NFL enthusiast, shared with RTE: "With Rees-Zammit, that was a big move when he went and we would have followed it last year when he was going.
"Even over the past couple of years, I've always been told anytime we did any testing with rugby, 'trust me, you'd be good at it'. But I never really thought there was an opportunity for me. The second there was, I just took a chance and went all in."
Sexton, who played three times for Ulster last year but hadn't had any game time involvement this term, will begin the programme next month. The 14 chosen participants will undergo an intensive 10-week learning module both on and off the pitch at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida.
They will then showcase 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.
During the special window, international players can be signed to a dedicated 17th practice squad spot across the 32 NFL teams. Former national sprint champion at age 16, Sexton is confident that his exceptional speed will make him stand out while he aims to secure an NFL contract either as a wide receiver or returner.
With a personal best of 10.4 seconds in the 100m and 20.6 in the 200m, Sexton recalls attending US trials years ago, where he observed DK Metcalf, now a Seattle Seahawks wide receiver, competing against sprinters. “He ran 10.34 and I was running 10.43, so I know that I have got the speed,” Sexton noted.
"I'm just champing at the bit right now. I'm running in a park on my own, doing my drills, doing my homework. Obviously, I do know I still have a lot to grow and a lot to learn. But yeah, I'm looking to go out, enjoy it and perform."
He acknowledges the challenges ahead, saying: "I know it's going to be a tough task. It will be new to me and I know the complexity of it, but it's something I'm really looking forward to. I want to put my best foot forward. I know the task at hand is a big one. I'm not taking that for granted."
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