Top Ad
I DIG Radio
www.idigradio.com
Listen live to the best music from around the world!
I DIG Style
www.idigstyle.com
Learn about the latest fashion styles and more...

Okoye to Mailata - rugby players who tried to crack the NFL

Written by 
Published in Rugby
Thursday, 29 August 2024 23:51

Jordan Mailata grew up playing rugby league and had reached the South Sydney Rabbitohs' Under-20s, but there were continued concerns over his conditioning.

That's when he received surely the best advice he's ever had: "Why dont you play a sport that appreciates your size?" At 6ft 8in and 365lb (166kg), that sport was American football.

"His agility and speed for a person of his size, who hadnt grown into his full frame yet, it was so impressive," says Scotland-Williamson, who was on the IPP programme with Mailata in 2018.

Aged 20, the Australian was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles and although he spent two seasons on their practice squad, he then became one of the NFL's best offensive tackles and helped the Eagles reach the Super Bowl in 2023.

Travis Clayton became the second IPP player to be drafted and Scotland-Williamson - a groomsman at Mailata's wedding last year - reckons that bodes well for the 6ft 7in offensive lineman who weighs 301lbs (137kg).

"With the bigger body types in the trenches, youve got more chance of making a late transition [to the NFL] because you cant really grow athletes that big, and theyre hard to find," he says.

"Also, being drafted means more. People want to see their decision proved right because theyve invested draft capital in you; theyve stuck their neck out, so youll get more patience."

Read 116 times

Soccer

Monterrey's Sergio Ramos gets 30th career red

Monterrey's Sergio Ramos gets 30th career red

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsSergio Ramos was sent off in the final minutes of Monterrey's victo...

Fernandes on Keane criticism: It motivates me

Fernandes on Keane criticism: It motivates me

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsManchester United captain Bruno Fernandes said he has plenty of res...

Hojlund, Garnacho lead United rout of Leicester

Hojlund, Garnacho lead United rout of Leicester

Manchester United's Rasmus Højlund and Alejandro Garnacho ended goal droughts and Bruno Fernandes sc...

2026 FIFA


2028 LOS ANGELES OLYMPIC

UEFA

2024 PARIS OLYMPIC


Basketball

Watts, Sonics icon and Seattle fixture, dies at 73

Watts, Sonics icon and Seattle fixture, dies at 73

EmailPrintSEATTLE -- Donald "Slick" Watts, a fan favorite for the SuperSonics and later a beloved te...

Magic end Cavaliers' winning streak at 16 games

Magic end Cavaliers' winning streak at 16 games

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsCLEVELAND -- Paolo Banchero scored 24 points, Franz Wagner added 22...

Baseball

Betts (illness) out for Tokyo Series; lost 15 pounds

Betts (illness) out for Tokyo Series; lost 15 pounds

EmailPrintTOKYO -- Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Mookie Betts will not play in the two-game Tokyo Se...

Valdez gets 4th straight Astros Opening Day start

Valdez gets 4th straight Astros Opening Day start

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsLeft-hander Framber Valdez was named the Houston Astros' Opening Da...

Sports Leagues

  • FIFA

    Fédération Internationale de Football Association
  • NBA

    National Basketball Association
  • ATP

    Association of Tennis Professionals
  • MLB

    Major League Baseball
  • ITTF

    International Table Tennis Federation
  • NFL

    Nactional Football Leagues
  • FISB

    Federation Internationale de Speedball

About Us

I Dig® is a leading global brand that makes it more enjoyable to surf the internet, conduct transactions and access, share, and create information.  Today I Dig® attracts millions of users every month.r

 

Phone: (800) 737. 6040
Fax: (800) 825 5558
Website: www.idig.com
Email: info@idig.com

Affiliated