The NFL announced on Thursday the eight players that will make up the 2023 class for the International Player Pathway Program (IPPP).
The IPPP was set up by the league ahead of the 2016 season to identify athletes from outside the United States and Canada as the NFL looks to increase its reach globally both on and off the field. Players must meet specific requirements to be eligible for selection, including an age limit (24 years or younger). IPPP athletes are selected by participating teams to join their respective training camps, at which point the players have the opportunity to make their team's 53-man roster.
There have been several dozen participants in the IPPP since its inception from the UK, Germany, Mexico, Brazil and other countries. This year's class is dominated by Nigerian athletes, with six of the eight players hailing from the African nation.
Here's the full list.
2023 International Player Pathway Program participants
- Kenneth Odumegwu, DL, Nigeria: Green Bay Packers
- Junior Aho, DT, France: Minnesota Vikings
- Patrick Murtagh, TE, Australia: Detroit Lions
- Roy Mbateteka, OL, Nigeria: Chicago Bears
- Chukwuebuka Godrick, OL, Nigeria: Kansas City Chiefs
- Haggai Ndubuisi, DL, Nigeria: Denver Broncos
- Basil Okoye, DL, Nigeria: LA Chargers
- David Ebuka Agoha, DL, Nigeria: Las Vegas Raiders
DAZN will deliver the NFL Game Pass International service from the 2023 season across the world (except the U.S. and China), find out more here.