Tag: NFL International Player Pathway

Ex-rugby player Thomas Yassmin ‘fits right in’ with Broncos

Former rugby player Thomas Yassmin does not count against Broncos’ roster limit this summer as part of NFL’s International Player Pathway.

NFL teams are allowed to carry 90 players on their rosters during the offseason. If they have a player from the league’s International Player Pathway program, clubs are granted an extra 91st spot on the roster.

The Broncos are utilizing that extra spot this summer by rostering international tight end Thomas Yassmin. The Australian-born rookie played rugby growing up in Sydney before switching to American football in college. Yassmin (6-5, 251 pounds) spent five years at Utah as a tight end.

Denver coach Sean Payton was asked how Yassmin looked during spring practices last month.

“Not bad,” Payton said on June 12. “I have to get used to the Aussie accent. You are expecting a punter or kicker, and he’s a tight end. I think he did a pretty good job. He belongs.”

Yassmin’s best season with the Utes came in 2022 when he hauled in 13 receptions for 301 yards and six touchdowns. With 47 college games on his resume, the tight end joins the Broncos with more experience than a typical IPP player.

“These international players come to you in different ways,” offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi said last month. “Some guys were rugby players, some guys just have traits. He has big-time college experience, so he’s a little further along maybe than your average international player. He fits right in.”

Yassmin will be a longshot to make Denver’s 53-man roster, but teams can carry an extra intentional player on the practice squad during the regular season. That will definitely help Yassmin’s chances of making the practice squad in 2024, and he’ll be an intriguing player to watch at training camp this summer.

[vertical-gallery id=620142]

Broncos might fill their international roster spot with an ex-rugby player

Australian-born ex-rugby player Thomas Yassmin could be a candidate to fill the Broncos’ international roster spot this summer.

As the Denver Broncos fill out their 90-man offseason roster by signing undrafted free agents, they’ll have the opportunity to add an extra player if they choose to do so.

As part of the NFL’s International Player Pathway program, teams can carry an international player who does not count against the offseason roster. Clubs will also have an extra spot on the practice squad for an international player in 2024.

One candidate to fill that spot for the Broncos is Utah tight end Thomas Yassmin, who is one of 13 undrafted free agents who have agreed to sign with Denver.

Yassmin (6-5, 251 pounds) was born in Sydney, Australia. He grew up playing rugby and played for The Scots College in New South Wales. He then went to Utah for college and began playing American football for the first time.

In his final two seasons with the Utes, Yassmin totaled 21 receptions for 390 receiving yards and seven touchdowns in 18 games. The player’s agent, Ryan Hays, told the Denver Gazette‘s Chris Tomasson that he’s eligible for the IPP program.

Earlier this offseason, the Broncos worked out Welsh rugby star Louis Rees-Zammit, but he opted to instead sign with the Kansas City Chiefs. Last year, Denver was allocated defensive lineman Haggai Chisom Ndubuisi as part of the IPP program, but the Broncos did not re-sign him this spring.

Yassim might be a candidate to fill the international spot in 2024. We are tracking all of Denver’s UDFA signings on Broncos Wire.

[vertical-gallery id=620142]

Broncos host rugby star Louis Rees-Zammit on free agent visit

The Broncos hosted Welsh rugby star Louis Rees-Zammit on a free agent visit Monday.

The Denver Broncos hosted Welsh rugby star Louis Rees-Zammit on a free agent visit Monday, according to a report from NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.

Rees-Zammit (6-3, 194 pounds) played for Gloucester Rugby, a club team in England, from 2018-2024, scoring 190 points in 69 games. He has also played for Wales’ national rugby team since 2020, scoring 70 points in 31 games.

After playing as a wing and fullback in rugby, the 23-year-old athlete now hopes to play in the NFL as a running back/wide receiver/returner.

Before his visit with the Broncos, Rees-Zammit had previous visits with the Cleveland Browns and New York Jets. He’s also scheduled to visit the Kansas City Chiefs.

At the University of South Florida’s pro day last week, Rees-Zammit ran an unofficial 4.44-second 40-yard dash. He spent 10 weeks training at the IMG Academy in Florida leading up to USF’s pro day.

Rees-Zammit isn’t the first player to attempt switching from rugby to the NFL.

Hayden Smith spent time with the New York Jets from 2012-13. Daniel Adongo spent three years with the Indianapolis Colts from 2013-15.

“I think there are a lot of transferable skills,” Rees-Zammit said in an interview with the Associated Press‘ Rob Maaddi last week. “In rugby, you’re always trying to get your hands on the ball as much as often and you’re always trying to break defenses, look for spaces, be aware.

“Catching kickoffs, catch and kick receipts, punt receipts, there’s a lot of transferable skills, and I think running back shows up probably best, getting the ball in my hand early, being able to pick a gap, being able to be aware of the surroundings.”

Alex Gray spent time with the Atlanta Falcons from 2017-2019, but he never made their active roster. Christian Wade turned heads with the Buffalo Bills during preseason in 2019 and Christian Scotland-Williamson competed with the Pittsburgh Steelers from 2018-20, but neither made an active roster.

Those were rugby union players. Philadelphia Eagles offensive lineman Jordan Mailata was a rugby league player in Australia before joining the Philadelphia Eagles in 2018. He has started 57 games in Philly since 2020.

Although he played a different version of rugby, Mailata could give hope to Rees-Zammit that a transition to American football is feasible.

NFL teams will have a 17th spot on the practice squad this season specifically designated for an international player, and teams can carry an extra international player on the roster during training camp (91 total).

Last spring, the Broncos were allocated defensive lineman Haggai Chisom Ndubuisi as part of the NFL’s International Player Pathway. Ndubuisi spent last season on Denver’s practice squad, but he is no longer listed on the roster on the team’s official website.

Follow the Broncos Wire Podcast:
Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts

[vertical-gallery id=620142]

Haggai Ndubuisi will get his real chance with Broncos at training camp

Broncos International Player Pathway player Haggai Ndubuisi looked good at OTAs, but the real test will arrive when pads come on at camp.

[connatix div_id=”3f8b015acdd24c648befc5d5dac47469″ player_id=”afe1e038-d3c2-49c0-922d-6511a229f69c” cid=”7cbcea0d-4ce2-4c75-9a8d-fbe02a192c24″]

Earlier this offseason, the NFL allocated defensive lineman Haggai Chisom Ndubuisi to the Denver Broncos as part of the NFL’s International Player Pathway (IPP) program.

As part of the program, the 22-year-old Nigerian lineman will not count against the 90-man offseason roster limit this summer.

Ndubuisi looked as good as a defensive lineman can in spring practices, but the real test will come when Denver puts on pads later this summer. Payton said after organized team activities wrapped up last week that Ndubuisi has looked good so far, but his real opportunity will come during training camp.

“He’s doing well,” Payton said on June 8. “The biggest challenge [is that] no one’s got shoulder pads on or anything yet. He looks good. He’s smart and I like him. I like that we have him. I think it’ll be easier for me to answer that question seven days into training camp because they’re the ones that are challenged with this type of practice.

“One guy is in charge of the ‘A’ gap on defense, and there’s an offensive lineman in charge of the ‘A’ gap. There has to be somebody acquiescing. That will sort out once we get the pads on.”

If he looks good in pads and ends up making the team, Ndubuisi will count against the 53-man roster this season. In the meantime, he won’t count against the offseason roster, giving him some security at least for the summer. Now it’s up to the young defensive lineman to take advance of his opportunity.

[lawrence-auto-related count=5 category=482983128]

Follow the Broncos Wire Podcast:
Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts

Haggai Chisom Ndubuisi joins Broncos as part of NFL’s International Player Pathway

Haggai Chisom Ndubuisi is joining the Broncos as part of the NFL’s International Player Pathway program. He does count against the roster.

The Denver Broncos are adding a new player to their defensive line depth chart, but he won’t count against the 90-man offseason roster.

The league has allocated defensive lineman Haggai Chisom Ndubuisi to the Broncos as part of the NFL’s International Player Pathway (IPP) program.

Ndubuisi (6-7, 323 pounds) is a 22-year-old Nigerian lineman who played soccer and basketball growing up before joining Uprise Academy, a Nigerian football program founded by former NFL defensive lineman Osi Umenyiora.

After standing out at Uprise Academy, Ndubuisi attended an international combine in London and then went to training camp with the Arizona Cardinals last summer as part of the IPP program.

Ndubuisi was unable to make Arizona’s 53-man roster or practice squad last year, but he will now get another opportunity in Denver. He is one of 13 players participating in the 2023 IPP program. This year, there are six Nigerians, one Australian and one French player in the program.

Since the NFL launched the IPP program in 2017, 37 international players have signed with NFL teams. This marks the first time a player has joined the Broncos as part of the program.

Ndubuisi will not officially count against Denver’s roster total unless he makes the team later this summer.

Follow the Broncos Wire Podcast:
Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts

[lawrence-auto-related count=5 category=482983128]