Valentine Holmes won’t be alone on his journey to the NFL. The league announced Friday (AEDT), the 23-year-old is one of seven “elite” athletes from around the world who will compete for a spot in their International Player Pathway Program.Much like fellow Aussie, and now Philadelphia Eagle, Jordan Mailata — one of the program’s success stories — Holmes will begin training in January at the IMG Academy in Florida, with an aim of levelling up both his skills and athleticism in time for March, when he’ll need to impress NFL scouts.He’ll be surrounded by other international stars, draft hopefuls, NFL veterans, and
coaches in Florida; notably for him, running back coach Earnest Byner and wide receiver coach Larry Kirksey.There’s been little clarification on what position the former Cronulla Sharks flyer will actually play, with Holmes listed as a running back/wide receiver/kick returner.The league’s International Pathway Program was instituted in 2017 essentially provides a risk-free incentive for teams to take on foreign talent.In 2019, one of the NFL’s eight divisions will be chosen at random to receive international players that have not already been signed to free agent contracts.Once training camp finishes, these players will be eligible for an international player practice squad exemption; meaning selected franchises will be given an eleventh practice squad spot that can be used only for an international player, who will be ineligible to be activated during the season.
