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International

Ireland's fastest player Aaron Sexton one of 8 from rugby to join NFL

Josh Raisey

09 Dec 2024

Aaron Sexton of Ulster during the United Rugby Championship match between Ulster and Ospreys at Kingspan Stadium in Belfast. (Photo By Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile via Getty Images)

The NFL has announced its International Player Pathway programme class of 2025, which includes eight players from both rugby union and rugby league.

Australia centre Jordan Petaia is the headline name on the list from rugby union, whose move to American football has been well-documented.

Petaia will be joined at the IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida, in January by another international rugby player, former France Sevens international Joachim Trouabal.

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Ulster wing Aaron Sexton is the final representative from northern hemisphere rugby to make the 14-player list- a player who has been unofficially dubbed the fastest player in Irish rugby.

Sexton holds a 10.43 second PB for the 100m and 20.69 for the 200m. Separately, he’s been clocked at 37.8 kph on a rugby field, namely a Ulster A game against Connacht a couple of seasons back. That converts to an impressive 10.5 metres per second, a feat executed on the traditionally sodden Sports Ground surface in Galway, a stat he would likely surpass on a harder pitch.

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“Everyone at Ulster Rugby wishes Aaron all the very best as he pursues this new opportunity with the NFL,” Ulster general manager Bryn Cunningham said.

“We don’t want to stand in the way of him chasing this ambition after he made it clear to us that this was something he was hugely excited about.”

“We thank Aaron for his efforts over the years and wish him well for the upcoming trials.”

Laitia Moceidreke, Laki Tasi, Jeneiro Wakeham, Paschal Ekeji Jr and TJ Maguranyanga are the five other players from both rugby codes who hope to follow in the footsteps of Louis Rees-Zammit.

The former Wales wing joined the IPP programme at the beginning of this year, and spent pre-season training with the Super Bowl winners the Kansas City Chiefs before joining the Jacksonville Jaguars training squad, where he remains.

“The Class of 2025 is an exciting one, and we are delighted to welcome these talented athletes from around the world to the International Player Pathway program,” said NFL executive VP of international, events and club business Peter O’Reilly.

“Focusing on our global football development efforts and fostering international talent is crucial to growing our game globally. The IPP program offers life-changing opportunities for international talent, and we look forward to following their progress in the weeks and months ahead.”