Jarryd Hayne’s incredible footballing instincts are what can lift him above other NFL hopefuls to be a success in America.
That is the opinion of NFL convert Mark Harris, who earned a contract with the Philadelphia Eagles after defecting from rugby league in the 1970s.
The two-time premiership winner (1974-75) with Eastern Suburbs gained an in-depth insight into what is required to make it in American football, before being traded to Canadian side Montreal, as part of his development.
The tackle-busting three-quarter later returned to Australia, frustrated at being limited to a punting role.
Hayne announced on Tuesday he planned to follow in Harris’ footsteps and the ex-Kangaroo believes the former Parramatta star has the necessary intuition to earn a big contract.
“He is up against it but I think he is a magnificent athlete,” Harris told radio station 2GB on Friday.
“I haven’t heard anyone talk about this but he has the one thing that will set him apart from all of his other physical attributes.
“He is a 4.5 runner (over 40 yards) and will really impress them that way.
“But the thing I have noticed about him when he plays is his exceptionally intuitive. That gives him a big advantage – he goes with his instincts.
“He is a big man and he gets though gaps and people wonder: `How did he do that?’
“And that is because his instinct usually directs him to the first thing.
“He doesn’t think then act, he does it instinctively.”
Harris said such rare attributes are vital in the NFL.
“Hayne usually picks the right option and that is gold in American football, because it gives you a split second over your opponent,” he said.
“That is why he gets through little gaps and I think that will be very, very important.
“He will probably do things instinctively that they won’t be expecting.”
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