The NFL has made a real push to make the sport global. Whether it’s playing more games overseas or growing the talent pool beyond the US, the league is working to spread football worldwide.
The newest step in that process, especially to grow international talent, is the International Player Pathway (IPP) program.
History of the International Player Pathway Program
Along with more international games, including at iconic venues like Wembley Stadium in London, the league has added programs to develop players from around the world.
The first was the NFL International Development Practice Squad Program, which ran from 2004 to 2009. After that, there was a seven-year gap before the NFL Undiscovered program launched in 2016.
That program helped lead to the International Player Pathway program we have now, which started in 2017.
How the IPP Program Works
NFL Undiscovered came from two British-born former NFL players — Aden Durde and Osi Umenyiora. They wanted to build a system for guys who didn’t play high school or college football in the US. Using YouTube scouting, they created a training program in Europe for amateur players, backed by NFL teams. The league officially launched the IPP in 2017.
Players must meet certain requirements to join the program, including:
- 24 years old or younger
- Did not play college football in the US
- Can speak English
- Not a US or Canadian citizen
- Available and eligible to travel to the US for two months from the first week in March
- Out of high school, or an equivalent body, for at least four years
The rules have shifted over time, depending on the player.
To give players a real shot, teams in the IPP program can carry a 91-man offseason roster instead of the standard 90. When it’s time to cut down to 53, teams decide whether to keep their IPP player.
If they don’t, the player goes through waivers. Another team can claim them, or their original team can keep them on the practice squad. If that happens, the IPP player can be added as an extra spot.
Right now, 19 of the 32 NFL teams have signed players through the program.
Players Through IPP
- 2016 – Anthony Dablé, WR, France, New York Giants
- 2016 – Moritz Böhringer, WR, Germany, Minnesota Vikings
- 2017 – Alex Gray, TE, UK, Atlanta Falcons
- 2017 – Alex Jenkins, DE, UK, New Orleans Saints
- 2017 – Eric Nzeocha, LB, Germany, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- 2017 – Efe Obada, DE, UK, Carolina Panthers
- 2018 – Moritz Böhringer, TE, Germany, Carolina Panthers
- 2018 – Christopher Ezeala, RB, Germany, Cincinnati Bengals
- 2018 – Jordan Mailata, OT, Australia, Philadelphia Eagles
- 2018 – Tigie Sankoh, DB, UK, Cleveland Browns
- 2018 – Christian Scotland-Williamson, TE, UK, Pittsburgh Steelers
- 2019 – Valentine Holmes, RB, Australia, New York Jets
- 2019 – Jakob Johnson, FB, Germany, New England Patriots
- 2019 – Durval Queiroz Neto, DT, Brazil, Miami Dolphins
- 2019 – Christian Wade, RB, UK, Buffalo Bills
- 2020 – Issac Alarcón, OT, Mexico, Dallas Cowboys
- 2020 – David Bada, DT, Germany, Washington Football Team
- 2020 – Matt Leo, DE, Australia, Philadelphia Eagles
- 2020 – Sandro Platzhummer, RB, Austria, New York Giants
- 2021 – Aaron Donkor, DE, Germany, Seattle Seahawks
- 2021 – Alfredo Gutiérrez, OT, Mexico, San Francisco 49ers
- 2021 – Max Pircher, OT, Italy, Los Angeles Rams
- 2021 – Sammis Reyes, TE, Chile, Washington Football Team
- 2021 – Bernhard Seikovits, TE, Austria, Arizona Cardinals
- 2022 – Marcel Dabo, CB, Germany, Indianapolis Colts
- 2022 – Roy Mbaeteka, OT, Nigeria, New York Giants
- 2022 – Haggai Ndubuisi, OT, Nigeria, Arizona Cardinals
- 2022 – Adebayo Odeleye, DE, UK, Houston Texans
- 2022 – Thomas Odukoya, TE, Netherlands, Tennessee Titans
- 2022 – Kehinde Oginni Hassan, DE, Nigeria, Kansas City Chiefs
- 2022 – Ayo Oyelola, SS, UK, Jacksonville Jaguars
- 2023 – Junior Aho, DL, France, Minnesota Vikings
- 2023 – C.J. Okoye, DL, Nigeria, Los Angeles Chargers
- 2023 – Haggai Ndubuisi, OT, Nigeria, Denver Broncos
- 2023 – David Ebuka Agoha, DL, Nigeria, Las Vegas Raiders
- 2023 – Chukwuebuka Gordick, OT, Nigeria, Kansas City Chiefs
- 2023 – Roy Mbaeteka, OT, Nigeria, Chicago Bears
- 2023 – Kenneth Odumegwu, DL, Nigeria, Green Bay Packers
- 2023 – Max Pircher, OT, Italy, Detroit Lions
- 2024 – Isaac Alarcón, OT, Mexico, San Francisco 49ers
- 2024 – Louis Rees-Zammit, RB, UK, Kansas City Chiefs
- 2024 – Charlie Smyth, PK, Ireland, New Orleans Saints
- 2024 – Max Pircher, OT, Italy, Seattle Seahawks
- 2024 – Haggai Ndubuisi, OT, Nigeria, Washington Commanders
- 2024 – Lorenz Metz, OL, Germany, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- 2024 – Patrick Murtagh, TE, Australia, Jacksonville Jaguars
- 2024 – Travis Clayton, OG, UK, Buffalo Bills
- 2024 – Bayron Matos, OT, Dominican Republic, Miami Dolphins
- 2024 – Roy Mbaeteka, OT, Nigeria, Cleveland Browns
- 2024 – Julius Welschof, LB, Germany, Pittsburgh Steelers
- 2024 – Laekin Vakalahi, OT, Australia, Philadelphia Eagles
- 2024 – Kehinde Oginni Hassan, DE, Nigeria, Atlanta Falcons
- 2024 – Jude McAtamney, PK, Ireland, New York Giants
- 2024 – Denzel Daxon, DT, The Bahamas, Dallas Cowboys
- 2024 – Thomas Yassmin, TE, Australia, Denver Broncos
- 2024 – David Olajiga, DT, UK, Los Angeles Rams
- 2024 – Jotham Russell, DE, Australia, New England Patriots
- 2024 – Junior Aho, DL, France, Carolina Panthers
- 2024 – Praise Olatoke, WR, Nigeria, Los Angeles Chargers
- 2024 – Alex Hale, PK, Australia, Green Bay Packers
- 2024 – Adebayo Odeleye, DE, UK, Baltimore Ravens
- 2024 – Ayo Oyelola, SS, UK, Pittsburgh Steelers
- 2024 – Kenneth Odumegwu, DL, Nigeria, Seattle Seahawks