Monaghan and Wicklow keepers Rory Beggan & Mark Jackson are heading to USA to kick Infront of scouts for all 32 NFL teams. They will also head to a week long kicking camp in Florida before hand.
The progress of Beggan and Jackson is timely as a new rule is is due to take effect where all 32 teams must have an 'international player' on the practice squad, essentially a reserve side, raising their hopes of getting picked up. The NFL are scouting kickers/punters as part of their international player pathway programme that they hope establish deeper worldwide roots.
If one of these keepers makes it, combined with the above new rule, you can be sure that all teams & collages will be start scouting GAA kickers. Could be an Aussie rules situation in a few years where there are 10 or more players signed up.
Fair play to the 2 men, some experience for them. Although some blow for the 2 counties, reported that they will miss a large part of the 2024 season, even if they aren't signed up.
The progress of Beggan and Jackson is timely as a new rule is is due to take effect where all 32 teams must have an 'international player' on the practice squad, essentially a reserve side, raising their hopes of getting picked up. The NFL are scouting kickers/punters as part of their international player pathway programme that they hope establish deeper worldwide roots.
If one of these keepers makes it, combined with the above new rule, you can be sure that all teams & collages will be start scouting GAA kickers. Could be an Aussie rules situation in a few years where there are 10 or more players signed up.
Fair play to the 2 men, some experience for them. Although some blow for the 2 counties, reported that they will miss a large part of the 2024 season, even if they aren't signed up.