Jamaican Olympic champion Roje Stona pursues NFL career on same programme as Louis Rees-Zammit

Jamaican Olympic discus champion Roje Stona is among the latest group of athletes to leave their sport in order to pursue a career in the NFL.

Stona clinched gold in Paris earlier this summer while also breaking the Olympic discus record as the first Jamaican ever to win a throwing event at the Olympics.

He will now step away from his discipline to join the International Player Pathway program's class of 2025 alongside 13 other athletes from across 13 nations around the world in view of securing an opportunity in football.

Stona and his fellow participants will train for 10 weeks at the IMG Academy in Florida beginning in January before demonstrating their skills before the eyes of NFL scouts at a Pro Day in March.

Also among those joining the program is Australia rugby union international Jordan Petaia and Ulster player Aaron Sexton, representing Ireland.

Louis Rees-Zammit made headlines earlier this year when he quit rugby on the eve of the Six Nation's to join the IPP, initially signing with the Kansas City Chiefs for whom he featured in preseason before eventually landing on the Jacksonville Jaguars practice squad.

Irish kicker Charlie Smyth also came through the class of 2024 to sign with the New Orleans Saints practice squad, while the UK's Travis Clayton was drafted by the Buffalo Bills.

There are currently 23 IPP athletes on rosters across the league, among the most notable being Philadelphia Eagles left tackle Jordan Mailata of Australia and the UK's own Efe Obada, who is with the Washington Commanders.

Stona, who attended college at both Arkansas and Clemson, was previously invited to rookie minicamps by the Green Bay Packers and New Orleans Saints in May earlier this year.

IPP players can either be acquired as a free agent or chosen at the 2025 NFL Draft, with qualifying players eligible to be signed to an extra 17th practice squad roster spot reserved for international players.

Representing the UK in the class of 2025 will be defensive tackle Dante Barnett, who previously spent time with the NFL Academy between 2019 and 2021 having started playing football for a local youth team at the age of 15 after being raised in Birmingham.

He will be accompanied by defensive lineman/linebacker Mapalo 'Maz' Mwansa, who joined the Great Britain National Team after being scouted while at Loughborough University.

"The Class of 2025 is an exciting one, and we are delighted to welcome these talented athletes from around the world to the International Player Pathway program," said Executive Vice President International, Events and Club Business at the NFL Peter O'Reilly.

"Focusing on our global football development efforts and fostering international talent is crucial to growing our game globally. The IPP program offers life-changing opportunities for international talent, and we look forward to following their progress in the weeks and months ahead."