With the widely-publicised defection of Jarryd Hayne from the NRL to the San Francisco 49ers in the NFL, players and fans alike have been asking themselves if this is the beginning of a new trend.
If Hayne successfully makes the transition to the NFL, one has to consider the possibility that there will be other talented Australian rugby league players who will attempt to make the switch to the American game, with its visibility and popularity steadily rising in Australia.
Unquestionably, with the identification of Hayne as a viable prospect, the NRL competition has now been earmarked by several NFL teams as a potential talent pool. In particular, it has been suggested that the Australian game lends itself to developing players with a skill-set that is most akin to that of a running back or, alternatively, a specialist kick returner.
Indeed, these are the very roles that Hayne is vying for on the practice squad of the San Francisco 49ers in the NFL off-season.
The running back and kick returner roles require players with exceptional acceleration, agility and strength among other things. Above all, however, is the ability to change direction quickly and smoothly. From this perspective, as both an NFL and NRL watcher, there are a number of current players in the NRL who currently fit the aforementioned criteria.
However, for the purposes of this article, the following NRL players have been selected as the three top candidates based on recent form.
1. Anthony Milford
The current Brisbane Broncos player has been selected for a number of reasons. Firstly, he is only 20 years of age and has plenty of time to make the transition to the American game. In addition, he exhibits excellent agility and can change direction on a dollar without losing much speed.
His highlight reel contains numerous examples of instances where he has broken the line using footwork which resembles that of a running back. Indeed, he was among the top contenders for most linebreaks in 2014 and that can be expected to continue into 2015.
2. Semi Radradra
If Hayne was the most dangerous attacking weapon that the Parramatta Eels possessed last year, Semi was a close second. As at the time of writing, Radradra is the leading try scorer in the NRL with three tries and having played only one game.
Interestingly, he is also the leading point scorer in the NRL Fantasy League at the time of writing, which is likely to change but speaks to his value as a well-rounded player. He has tremendous straight-line speed and is almost unstoppable against a single defender.
3. Dane Gagai
Dane is something of a wildcard and his selection is based on his Round 1 performance as much as it is based on his potential as a player. At 24 years of age and 91 kilograms, he is an athletic freak and has breakaway speed as well as good footwork and the strength to break tackles.
Once again, if he were to make the switch now and commit to learning the game, from an athletic point of view he would have something to offer a team at relatively little risk.
Depending on your point of view, the list of possibilities is endless. Running backs and kick returners come in all shapes and sizes with a variety of skill sets and so do the players in the NRL.
With the NFL now alert to the tremendous athletic talent that exists among the players in the NRL, the doors are open for more players to make the switch and perhaps some of the younger players will choose to make the switch before they have even made a name for themselves as a top-flight rugby league player.
Only time will tell whether the Jarryd Hayne migration is the beginning of a new era whereby the best NRL talent has the option to leave early to pursue higher pay and more publicity in one of the greatest shows on earth.
Dave
Guest
This is the worst article I've read out of the whole Hayne-to-NFL debacle (and there have been a lot of bad ones). There is no trend. The NRL is not being 'earmarked' as a new pool of talent for the NFL. Willie Mason's been there done that (apparently), with an approx. $500,000 one year contract offered to him by the Jets in 2006 (again, apparently). It fell through due to a lack of commitment on Willie's part and due to an assessment by the Jets staff. The Hayne being signed to the 49ers fiasco is a publicity stunt, and the organisation trying to hit a one-trick-pony to see if it works out, just like the rest of their personnel movements this off-season under their very experimental new head-coach. The mechanics and technique in Rugby League are an entirely different set of skills that do not transition well or effectively to the sport of gridiron/professional American Foootball, and vice versa. If you do not know about these mechanics and techniques and how American football demands a higher level of intelligence and applied learning than rugby league, then you do not have the education or knowledge to comment on how Rugby League players can be effective or even superstar players in the NFL. The author highlights how the physical skills of the athletes listed above would translate well into being NFL players, but it is so irrelevant having those skills come across when thousands of other athletes in the US through the college system have the same level of physical skills. What really determines success and having a genuine shot is the ability to demonstrate position relevant awareness and intelligence skills and techniques that have been developed over 6-8 years of learning the game - things that Hayne does not have and is not taught in Rugby League. These are not just 'amongst other things'. Stop and break down some video NRL vs the NFL of star players running with the ball - league players run up high and do not cover the ball with 4-points of contact, and NFL players run with pads and helmet square and down (sometimes with blockers ahead). That is taught over years, not just months Jarryd Hayne. Realistically he will be a returner his first year and developmental RB (even if he makes it past the practice squad). If the 49ers keep him beyond that he may become a 3rd string RB. Graham Spicer he is not playing at the receiver position as he does not have the physical or mental tools to play the position. Whilst the $100,000 guaranteed money is getting is a bit unusual, it doesn't shout out that the 49ers are sold on him, and players earning more than that, have had more potential, & have been drafted, have been cut. The addition of Reggie Bush will help as it seems the two have become mates, but then you have to account that the Lions, who also have experimented with players from other codes, didn't offer more to sway Hayne to join them. Australia doesn't need more NFL scouts to come over here and look at our athletes, it needs more NCAA football scouts to come here (a lot already do) and offer scholarship programs to athletes with genuine chances of achieving and developing in the US college system. 7-8 years in the NRL does not substitute for 3-4 years in the US college system. Just like the Australian media was saying for weeks Jarryd was a lock to sign with the Lions, they never got it right there, and you Jonathan Pitt, don't have it right here. You might've been writing the article for a bit of fun, but really, Australian media (you inclusive) really needs to put in more homework and research. All the best Hayne. Enjoy the experience regardless of whether you get on the field or not.
GWS
Guest
Rookie eh? With an article like this you might get a run at The Daily Telegraph, but there is a world beyond Kogarah Jubilee Oval. Embrace that perspective young man.
LOLlicon
Guest
His best bet is at KR or PR and special teams plays. Seems like a boring alternative to staring in the NRL.
LOLlicon
Guest
lol... Only guy I could see make the transition had his chance turned it down. Jonah Lomu. They would have made him faster and stronger - only his illness would have stopped him. There are so many college athletes that miss out that have the potential to go quite well in the NFL - unfortunately NFL is cutthroat and sometimes the wrong player gets a chance and the right one won't. Just look at Brady, From almost not making it to one of the greats. Yet, you get other rubbish like the infamous Ryan Leaf who was the ultimate flop, picked second overall. Too many quality guys that miss out, few get a second chance, e.g. Seahawks offense are full of UFA's. College already has a lot of faster, stronger and more knowledgeable players that won't make it that are already streets ahead of anyone in the NFL for that position. RB is also a position on the downhill due to rules of the sport. Just look how much the FB position has decreased. RB isn't as bad - but I doubt they will need to search the NRL when there are already too many to choose each year.
Snickometero
Guest
Actually, Ebner was a special teams player for 3 seasons at Ohio State University. He was on the Patriots Super Bowl winning team this year in his 3rd pro season.
Xfactor
Guest
Actually it is a futures contract for $100,000 guaranteed. They don't give that to just anybody.
Steve
Guest
The NFL has already realised the potential of rugby. I think 7 draftees in the last 4 years plus the likes of Daniel Adongo and Hayden Smith, who's story is just forgotten but even more amazing and he's an Aussie. Look at Nate Ebner, won a Super Bowl in his 4th year playing the sport. -- Comment from The Roar's iPhone app.
turbodewd
Guest
This article is a few months too soon. JHayne will hav done amazingly well if he gets a single pre season down in August. But I agree that Semi Radradra is a rare talent. The NRL doesnt do enough to publicise its individual stars. Its stars that people to go see!
jamesb
Guest
Maybe rugby league players just wanna play rugby league. Making it to the NFL is a huge ask. BTW, could we have articles on the Roar about potential Union and AFL players going to the NFL?
pat malone
Guest
because there is not a tonne of americans in the 150 colleges or thousands of high schools with running ability. best to go to Australia to tap the endless supply of suitable athletes
Graham Spicer
Guest
If Hayne does or does not become a starter at the back or receiving position, the author still has a valid point. Rugby league would be a perfect platform for Australian athletes to get into at least special teams positions, as much as AFL players can get starts in the punting position. It's great that there were a few teams really wanting to take a gamble, and I for one hope that Hayne can succeed with his dream, and that it does bring more NFL scouts to australia. And hey, if NFL doesnt work, maybe Hayne can do what David Beckham did for soccer and join one of the many US rugby league teams that have started to form. I would love to take my kids to see Hayne play for the Atlanta Rhinos, just like when I used to watch him play for the Eels back when I was living in Australia.
Kevin dustby
Guest
Perhaps the writer is getting ahead of himself? He's made a training contract