NFL Announces 2025 International Player Pathway Class, Featuring 14 Athletes from 13 Countries
The NFL has unveiled its International Player Pathway (IPP) program Class of 2025, which includes 14 athletes from 13 different countries, continuing the league’s effort to create more opportunities for talented international players to compete at the highest level.
Since its launch in 2017, the IPP program has aimed to identify top global talent and provide them with the chance to refine their skills, ultimately helping them earn a spot on an NFL roster.
Starting in January 2025, athletes in the program will participate in 10 weeks of training at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida, focusing on both on-field skills and classroom learning. In March, they will have the opportunity to showcase their abilities to NFL scouts at the University of South Florida’s Pro Day.
Athletes may be signed as free agents or, if eligible, selected in the 2025 NFL Draft. Each NFL team can have one international player on its roster from the start of the offseason program until the roster cuts to 53 players. After that, international players may be signed to a 17th practice squad spot reserved for such athletes across the league.
The program has previously included athletes from various sports, such as rugby, basketball, Gaelic football, and track and field, with elite football coaches leading the training.
Peter O’Reilly, NFL Executive VP of International, Events, and Club Business, said, “The Class of 2025 is an exciting group, and we are pleased to welcome these talented athletes from around the world to the IPP. Expanding our global football development and fostering international talent is crucial to growing the game globally. The IPP offers life-changing opportunities for these athletes, and we look forward to their progress.”
The Class of 2025 features the following athletes:
Player | Country
Jordan Petaia | Australia
Laitia Moceidreke | Australia
Laki Tasi | Australia
Jeneiro Wakeham | Fiji
Joachim Trouabal | France
Maceo Beard | France
Leander Wiegand | Germany
Aaron Sexton | Ireland
Rojé Stona | Jamaica
Nathaniel Salmon | New Zealand
Paschal Ekeji Jr | Lesotho / Nigeria / South Africa
Dante Barnett | United Kingdom
Mapalo “Maz” Mwansa | United Kingdom / Zambia
TJ Maguranyanga | Zimbabwe
A group of specialists, including international kickers and punters, will also join the Class of 2025 in the coming weeks.
The IPP program is part of the NFL’s long-term commitment to accelerate global football development and create pathways for international talent to play in the NFL.
Since its inception, 41 international players have joined NFL teams, whether through allocation, the draft, or as free agents, with 23 currently on NFL rosters. Six of these players—Jordan Mailata (Australia), Jakob Johnson (Germany), Efe Obada (United Kingdom), Sammis Reyes (Chile), Thomas Odukoya (Netherlands), and David Bada (Germany)—have been active on NFL rosters since 2017.