While we have seen various GAA stars move to the AFL down through the years, it was rather unexpected news to hear that some current inter-county players would be given a shot to earn an NFL contract in 2024. Rory Beggan, Mark Jackson, and Charlie Smyth, all of whom play in goal for Monaghan, Wicklow, and Down respectively, will have that chance over the coming weeks.
Having caught the eye at an international combine in the UK at the end of last year, those players will travel across the Atlantic to partake in an intensive three-week camp next month. They will then take part in the NFL combine in Indianapolis on February 27th, which will be scouted by all 32 teams in the league.
Should things go well for them, they could be part of NFL rosters as soon as this summer.
While some may expect that their chance of making the league remain very remote, a couple of contributing factors means that it could be more realistic than many assume.
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McConville feels Wicklow goalkeeper has 'realistic' chance of making NFL roster
Mark Jackson has yet to feature for Wicklow in 2024, with the player set to miss a portion the team's league campaign in order to prepare for his NFL experience.
Speaking on Second Captains, his inter-county manager Oisín McConville summed up why the chances of him making the league are more 'realistic' than some people might think.
I've spoke to a lot of people who were telling me how much of a shot in the dark it is, but it probably feels a bit more realistic than people think.
There is only a few of them going over, every NFL team needs an international player on their books now as well. He would fill a lot of roles.
From following the game, I know in the past it has been field goal kicking and a punter are all different players. I think these lads fill all those roles...
Once they got their hands on these guys, they realised that these fulfil all of the necessary needs that a kicker needs, including the punting. That probably fills a niche, I don't think there is too many teams with one player doing all of those things, it usually varies between two or three players.
To have one player who could do that and leave room in the roster for other players is probably very enticing for all those NFL teams.
You can listen to the episode in full here.
In 2024, each NFL team will be required to have at least one international player as part of their practice squad. That means there will be slots that need filling, with kickers perhaps best placed to snag them as they should make the transition to the sport more easily than players in most other positions.
As mentioned by McConville, they could also benefit if they are able to act as both a kicker and punter, roles that are usually filled by two different players.
While it would be a huge loss for Wicklow, it would be incredible to see how Jackson or one of the other GAA players make an NFL roster in the near future.
It will be interesting to see how it all plays out.
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