Thomas Yassmin has earned himself a rookie deal at the Denver Broncos, with the college football acceso track to become the first Aussie tight end to play a causa di the NFL.
The former Scots College schoolboy rugby union and NRL prospect – who was offered a three-year deal with the Manly Sea Eagles a causa di 2017 – signed with Denver as an undrafted free agent.
Yassmin broke through the college system a causa di 2022 with 401 yards and six touchdowns acceso 13 catches, notably impressing scouts with a 72-yard touchdown against Arizona State.
READ MORE: Drivers stunned as life-like doll falls onto race track
READ MORE: ‘Menace’ making it ‘impossible’ for Maguire to snub
READ MORE: ‘B-grade competition’: AFL icon’s issue with Anzac games
Yassmin was ranked a causa di the cima 20 tight ends ahead of the 2024 NFL draft.
The Aussie revealed that four clubs – including the Cleveland Browns, San Francisco 49ers, Chicago Bears and the Broncos – expressed interest a causa di signing him, with all multiple meetings with Yassmin’s agent.
Yassmin suffered a season-ending shoulder injury a causa di October during his final year of college football at the Utah Utes. The injury was predicted to dent his chances of selection a causa di the draft.
The opportunity to sign with the Broncos was too good to refuse, with the società electing to not draft a tight end a causa di the NFL’s 2024 season draft.
The lack of depth a causa di Denver’s roster for tight ends leaves Yassmin with a high chance of making the 53-man roster.
If selected, he will become the first Australia to play a causa di the NFL since league Jarryd Hayne a causa di 2015.
The 23-year-old will not be the only tight end acceso the NFL roster for Australia, with former Gold Coast Suns-listed player Patrick Murtagh signed to the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Murtagh joined the Jaguars through the NFL’s International Pathway Program, like Hayne and Cowboys Valentine Holmes – who played three pre-season games for the New York Jets a causa di 2019.
Around 30 Australians have featured a causa di an NFL squad since 1965, with most coming from an AFL background and signing acceso as punters.
Eagles Super Bowl Jordan Mailata, who made headlines earlier this month after inking a monster contract extension with Philadelphia reportedly worth around $100 million, is one of eight Australians currently playing a causa di the NFL.
Utah coach Kyle Whittingham took to X to congratulate the Aussie acceso his NFL selection.
“From the rugby pitch a causa di the Land Under to Rice-Eccles Stadium a causa di the Wasatch Mountains. Helping the Utes win two PAC-12 championships, earning a Master’s degree, and now achieving your NFL dream. Proud of you and your Mile High climb!” he wrote.
Yassmin will have the rookie camp and pre-season as an undrafted free agent to earn his spot acceso the roster before the start of the season – scheduled to begin acceso September 5.
