NFL scouts from the Philadelphia Eagles, New York Jets, San Francisco 49ers and 12 other teams have cast their eyes over NRL stars Jason Taumalolo and Valentine Holmes at a workout in Los Angeles.
Whether Taumalolo and Holmes score NFL contracts is unclear.
They impressed during the two-hour session at Loyola High School near downtown LA on Saturday, but the scouts say they will need to see more to determine if Taumalolo and Holmes can can pick up American football quickly enough to play the sport at its highest level.
“It’s probably a little bit premature to know all of those answers,” an Eagles scout, who asked not to be named, said after the session.
“This is just the first step.”
Taumalolo, a 23-year-old forward with North Queensland, and Holmes, a 21-year-old fullback and winger with premiers Cronulla, underwent a battery of tests inside the school’s gym and on a sports field.
They ran NFL routes and caught the ball, performed speed and agility tests and ran the 40-yard dash.
“They showed a lot of strength and balance,” the Eagles scout said.
“They are big, strong athletes.
“The balance, strength, body control, the change in direction, they have that.
“Their discipline today was outstanding.
“So it’s a learning curve.”
Taumalolo said the scouts indicated to him he could play fullback, tight end or linebacker while Holmes was pencilled in as a wide receiver or safety.
Both players said they remain committed to their NRL teams for 2017 – the last years of their contracts.
But scouts said their availability was something that was one of the big determining factors.
NFL project players would be required to report to their teams in early April for pre-season camps and the NFL season extends into the new year.
“To come over here and have another go at a sport is another challenge for us,” Taumalolo said.
The next step is for teams to contact their agents.
“It’s a waiting game,” Holmes said.
“We’ll have to see what happens.”
Other NFL scouts in attendance were from the Chicago Bears, Jacksonville Jaguars, Indianapolis Colts, Kansas City Chiefs, Buffalo Bills, LA Rams, Cleveland Browns, Arizona Cardinals, Green Bay Packers, San Diego Chargers and the Seattle Seahawks.
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